ireland, irish, ulster, ireland, irish, ulster, Sinn Féin, Irish America

(Suzanne Breen, Daily Mirror)

The PSNI have been accused of provocative behaviour after some officers policed a republican parade wearing poppies.

Protesters at the event in West Belfast on Saturday said it was "highly insensitive and offensive" that officers had sported the emblem.

They added the community had "suffered so much at the hands of the British Army".

The officers were policing a demonstration organised by Eirigi outside Grosvenor Road barracks in protest at the alleged "PSNI harassment and aggressive attempts by MI5" to recruit local people.

Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice said he believed the display may be in breach of Equality Commission guidelines.

He added: "Matt Baggott tells us we have an impartial police force. If that's so, he needs to take steps to neutralise and depoliticise his force." A police spokesman said the display of emblems was covered by PSNI equal opportunities policy.

Anyone believing it had been broken should contact the Police Ombudsman.

This article appeared in the June 22, 2011 edition of the Daily Mirror.

Main page