Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon UUP

Ulster Unionist Party Twitter page for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

Proud to act as host for Op TELIC commemoration with @little_pengelly

TELIC covered operations in Iraq from 2003 - 2011. 179 service personnel were KIA, thousands WIA & many still carry psychological scars.

Although TELIC ended 15 yrs ago; for many veterans it has never ended.

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

What’s the story.

The Minister ‘misspoke’ again. She’ll get away with that - again🤷🏻‍♂️

Or

A single barrister received nearly £4million of taxpayers money over a three & half year period💰

Start producing a league table of highest earners & bring transparency to the issue✅

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

This should not be controversial.

Women deserve women only spaces; biological men should not be allowed to use those spaces. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

As elected representatives it is important we openly support our Police Service.

If we want a representative service then we must promote @PoliceServiceNI in our communities and wider society.

Recruitment begins tomorrow👇🏻

https://t.co/gOZMC1Y6Bz

[Ulster Unionist Party @uuponline]

𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗱𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA has called for a root and branch review of the Police Ombudsman’s Office to ensure accountability and build confidence in the organisation, which is seriously lacking.

Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“The concern expressed by the PSNI Chief Constable, which was dismissed by the First and Deputy First Minister, about the return of the Police Ombudsman while an investigation was still underway is of concern. It highlights the need for a root and branch review of how the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI) operates and what powers there are to hold both the Ombudsman and the office to account.

“At present, there is no PONI accountability mechanism which maintains independence, operational and financial autonomy, as outlined in the Venice Principles. What the Principles also state is that dismissal of the Ombudsman, for serious issues such as gross misconduct, must involve either an independent judiciary or a Parliamentary process. Therefore, to insert any form of accountability mechanism, the Police(Northern Ireland) Act 1998 must be amended to stipulate a discharge process for PONI and that an ad hoc committee be established, incorporating the judiciary and qualified lay members, to adjudicate on any dismissal or suspension.

“There are other issues that need to be looked at in respect of PONI, including false or vexatious claims which impact both PONI and the PSNI. We literally have minor service level complaints that should be dealt with by the internal Police disciplinary structures, being referred to PONI because the rule states that if the complainant wants it to be investigated by PONI, then they must do so even if it is a minor issue. This needs to change and a filtering process needs to be put in place which allows the PSNI to investigate minor service issues without having to refer to the complainant, therefore taking pressure off PONI.

“On false and vexatious claims, there must be some recourse to hold the individual to account. By changing section 52 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, much the same as they have with the Ombudsman’s Office in the Republic of Ireland, a charge of Perverting Course of Justice, Forgery, or Harassment can be used to bring criminal charges against anyone who makes persistent vexatious claims or false claims against the PSNI. Maybe this will be something the new Ombudsman will look at in the future.

“Even as we wait to see the outcome of the review of the Policing Board, which was released a year ago, we must also look at a review of how PONI works to ensure it is fit for purpose and commands the confidence of the police and wider society. At present, it does not, and the Justice Minister should look carefully at this in the coming months as the new Ombudsman is appointed.”

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

I raised this case on the floor of the assembly a couple of weeks ago but couldn’t report the case.

I’m glad Rénee and Tom have held PCI to account. #NDAs #JusticeReform

[Ulster Unionist Party @uuponline]

@Diana_uup reflects on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.

No woman or girl should ever feel unsafe - at home, at work, or anywhere in our community.

We’re standing with victims and survivors, and we’re committed to doing our part to build a safer Northern Ireland for everyone.

[Ulster Unionist Party @uuponline]

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Begins with Consistent Sentencing – @BeattieDoug

#MakeNIWork

Read More👇🏼

https://t.co/TDdpm4pndQ

[Ulster Unionist Party @uuponline]

Jon Burrows signs into Stormont as the new Ulster Unionist MLA for North Antrim.

Read More👇🏼

https://t.co/QvKbrWqcMm

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

The @Ed_Authority Youth Resource Centre in Banbridge is first class with excellent staff and volunteers.

Well done and great chatting to the young adults and children who attend. 👏👏👏

[Police Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon @PSNIABC]

A closure is currently in place on the M12 following heavy rainfall. The country bound lane is currently impassable at Portadown (junction 12) due to heavy rainfall, and we would ask that motorists come off the motorway at junction 10. An update will be provided in due course.

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

Great to visit Little Friends Daycare in Banbridge along with Cllr @KLEvans89 to see their powerful Grandfriends Programme bringing older ppl together with children. 👏👏👏

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

Serious traffic accident at Seagoe Hotel traffic lights Portadown.

Traffic avoiding Northway due to disturbances best to avoid this route near Craigavon Hospital. @flahertycom @KLEvans89

[Ulster Unionist Party @uuponline]

🚨Winter Fuel Payment update🚨

Following the Labour Government's U-turn, pensioners in Northern Ireland will receive a Winter Fuel Payment in the same way as their counterparts in England and Wales.

Increasing the income threshold was something we lobbied for. Therefore, this change is welcome. We will continue to press for support for non-pensioner households.

For clarity, the criteria are as follows:

➡Everyone over the State Pension age in Northern Ireland will receive a Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) this winter.

➡HMRC will automatically recover the payment of pensioners with an income of £35,000 a year or above.

➡There will be an option to opt out. However, work is ongoing to finalise a solution, which will be announced at a later stage.

➡DFC officials are taking forward the necessary subordinate legislation for NI. This is expected to be straightforward and completed by the end of July.

🚨 There are already several scams circulating since yesterday’s announcement asking pensioners to provide their personal details, bank account, etc. Pensioners do not need to do anything to receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

If anyone gets a suspicious email or text from https://t.co/vEadVwDoCy, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Department for Communities asking for bank details, they should report it to Action Fraud: https://t.co/IMYWKsHsTn

[Julie Flaherty BEM @flahertycom]

Out with both my @GBNI company #EdenderryMemoriallMethodist105 & @UUP_ABC colleagues today in #Portadown for the #CommonwealthYouthParade! Huge turnout to support all our young people!
#SeekServeFolllow 🪔🇬🇧

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

What did ⁦@USPCA_Official⁩ say:

‘Euthanising healthy dogs after only five days in some local council pounds raises significant animal welfare concerns.’

⁦@daera_ni⁩ Minister out of touch. https://t.co/o5BwAhhySj

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

Final #VEDay80 Commemoration with a drumhead service in Waringstown tonight.

[WRN NI @ni_wrn]

MSM in NI rarely covers this issue properly. We get pages of trans/pride articles in the @BelTel or @irish_news and same re TV but only @News_Letter actually covers womens concerns! Yet we are 51% of our society and so many women from all parts agree with us.

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

“Women wanting to have safe spaces that give them security, dignity and privacy should not be viewed as controversial.” - so why is it? #SexMatters https://t.co/OftkXHWa8h

[Doug Beattie @BeattieDoug]

I think this is appalling and dangerous.