Northern Ireland

DUP leader calls for interim chief to take control of PSNI ‘crisis’

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson pointed to a loss of confidence internally within the PSNI

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP leader: “We are in a crisis situation, with not only the data breach but also the loss of confidence internally within the PSNI.” Picture: Getty

An interim leader should be appointed to steer the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) through a “crisis situation”, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Former PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne resigned this week after a string of controversies.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton is currently steering the organisation while moves are under way to recruit a new chief.

Hamilton had been expected to attend an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday of the Police Federation ...