Policing Devolution Legislation To Be Introduced In British Parliament

Legislation to enable the devolution of policing and justice from London to Belfast will be introduced to Parliament before the end of the month, it was announced on Friday night.

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward gave notice of the British government's intention to introduce the legislation ready for when the Stormont Assembly finally asks for devolution of the powers and Parliament agrees.

Mr Woodward said the British government had given a commitment during the St. Andrews talks in the fall of 2006 that when the parties in Northern Ireland were ready to complete devolution with the transfer of policing and criminal justice powers from him to a locally accountable minister, the necessary legislation to allow it to happen would be in place.

The legislation will be introduced into Parliament on February 23 and have its Second Reading on March 4.