Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA has written to the Chief Constable seeking a public assurance that everyone involved in Sunday's events on the Garvaghy Road will be treated equally under the law.

He has also written to the Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board seeking an urgent decision on the position of Board member Deirdre Hargey MLA before Thursday's meeting. Ms Hargey was on the Garvaghy Road on Sunday during what the PSNI have described as an unlawful and unnotified protest, and footage shows her linking arms across the road with others.

Jon Burrows MLA said:

“I have written to the Chief Constable today about the events on the Garvaghy Road on Sunday, and I have asked for a meeting.

“The first thing I said in that letter was to thank his officers. They were placed in an exceptionally difficult position through no fault of their own, and they have my support and the support of this party as they continue to uphold the law and keep the peace.

“Senior Sinn Féin politicians were among those involved on Sunday. Any apparent offences involving them must be investigated exactly as they would be if any other citizen were involved. Office or political position must make no difference whatsoever, and I have asked the Chief Constable to say so publicly.

“The reality is that some people are concerned political considerations could affect whether everyone is treated equally by the justice system. When senior politicians are involved, that concern is understandable in any society. The way to address it is through a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation, properly resourced to consider all the relevant evidence.

“I have therefore asked for an explicit public statement, or a written assurance in reply, that the PSNI will discharge its duties under section 32 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 rigorously and impartially in relation to these events, and that where the evidence supports further action, that action will follow swiftly and without fear or favour.

“I fully recognise the operational independence of the police. My request is straightforward: everyone involved must be treated equally under the law, and they must see that happen without undue delay.

“Deirdre Hargey MLA is a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. On Sunday she was on the Garvaghy Road during what the PSNI have described as an unlawful and unnotified protest, and footage shows her linking arms across the road with others.

“The Board meets on Thursday, when the policing operation at Garvaghy Road is expected to come under scrutiny. The PSNI have established a dedicated enquiry team to examine what happened.

“Ms Hargey was directly involved in the events the Board is due to discuss. She cannot take part in questioning the officers responsible for that operation. She should not attend Thursday's meeting. If she does, she must recuse herself from every item concerning Garvaghy Road, and the Board should ensure that happens.

“But this goes beyond one meeting. Given her direct involvement in events now subject to a criminal enquiry, I believe Sinn Féin should replace her on the Policing Board until the investigation, and any proceedings arising from it, have concluded. It would be incompatible with public confidence for someone whose own conduct may be examined by police to oversee that same police service while the matter remains live.

“This is not a presumption of guilt. It is basic good governance, and a test of the Board's independence and the appearance of impartiality. Those standards matter most when the circumstances are difficult.

“I am writing to the Chair today seeking an urgent decision before Thursday's meeting. The Policing Board must be able to scrutinise the police without any reasonable question about whether one of its members has a personal interest in the operation under examination. That is essential to the Board's credibility and to confidence in policing across every community.”