South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Maskey Comments On Disruption of South Belfast DPP Meeting

Published: 20 November, 2007

Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey, commenting on the cancellation the South Belfast sub-committee of the Belfast Policing Partnership meeting last night, has said that the DPP should consult more widely within the community for future meetings.

Alex Maskey said,

"The failure by the DPP to consult with the local community about the planned meeting last night was a wasted opportunity.

"I have repeatedly said that people have a right to be consulted and also that people have a right to peaceful protest to express their opinions but clearly there were people at the 'protest' who were determined that the meeting would not go ahead.

"The people in the Markets, like all others, have a right to a proper accountable police service and an end to activities including anti-social behaviour and drug dealing.

"All that those who disrupted the meeting did was to deny the local community the opportunity to being to shape the type of policing that they want in their area.

"While everyone is entitled to their opinion Sinn Féin does has a mandate, including from the Markets area, to work with local communities to bring about change in how our communities are policed." ENDS