Questions being asked over NIO poll

Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader Danny Kennedy has questioned the release of "limited details" of opinion polling carried out on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

"This is not the first time that the NIO has released dubious polling data at a dubious time on the issue of devolution of policing and justice. However the Ulster Unionist Party will not be bullied by Shaun Woodward on this issue.

"During the course of a disgraceful interview on Radio Ulster this morning, Mr Woodward said that most Ulster Unionist voters agreed with devolution of policing and justice. That is also the Party position. The polling conducted contained leading and irrelevant questions.

"I want to see local Ministers in charge of policing and justice and, had I been a respondent to this poll, that would have been my answer. But if asked whether I think we should devolve policing and justice in the current conditions, that answer is categorically 'no'.

"The public agree with our position that this Executive has not shown the maturity to have responsibility for Justice. If this Executive can't transfer children from primary to secondary school, how can it be expected to transfer people from society to prison and back again?

"The NIO are refusing to release details of which company was commissioned for the polling or any other information on who was surveyed, where and on what questions.

"If the company used is reputable and experienced in these matters, it will be a member of the Market Research Society or British Polling Council, both of which require full disclosure of this information within two days. In two days the vote in the Assembly will be over, and any dishonesty in the information leaked today won't matter.

"If the Secretary of State has nothing to hide about this poll he will release the full information about the poll today - ahead of the Assembly vote."