DUP comments on FTR's confusing and inconsistent

Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy has criticised the DUP for yet another "U-turn" in relation to policing and justice branding their latest actions as confusing and inconsistent.

Commenting on the news that DUP Leader Peter Robinson has contradicted a statement by his colleague Jeffrey Donaldson which described the issue of the Full Time Reserve as a 'deal breaker' the UUP MLA said;

"During a BBC interview on Monday, Jeffrey Donaldson said that if the full time reserve was disbanded the devolution of policing and justice would not proceed because the DUP would not agree to it, that he said was one of the deal breakers. Today, Leader of the DUP, Peter Robinson has completely contradicted that statement by declaring that the Reserve matter is 'not a deal breaker'."

"Who then are the public to believe, Jeffrey or Peter? What is the official DUP line on the issue - or does it just depend on which DUP representative you speak to? It seems in recent weeks that the U-Turns by the DUP have been growing - after all it was only 48 hours from when Jeffrey made the original statement."

"Peter Robinson is right to consider the operational responsibility of the Chief Constable on the issue of the Reserve, but members of the public are going to be increasingly confused as to what the DUP stand for and it is not right for them to use this issue for political point scoring."

"Policing and justice and those issues surrounding it are too important to get wrong and the contradictory messages from the DUP are doing nothing to help Unionist confidence - something they consistently comment on."

"For the DUP to use this issue as a political football does nothing to help those FTR officers caught up in the political debate. We need to recognise the difficulties facing them as this issue rages on in the media and the impact it can have on their families. Amidst all this we need to remember and recognise the vital service these officers have and continue to provide - carrying out front line services within our police force."

The UUP will be meeting with the Police Federation on Friday to discuss matters relating to the Full Time Reserve.