The RUC's enhanced reputation after its handling of the Drumcree crisis was underlined last night as the British Prime Minister again praised the force for its commitment to impartial policing in Northern Ireland.
Mr Tony Blair spent almost 90 minutes in talks at Downing Street with representatives of the Police Federation, who emerged satisfied with his assurance that "the RUC will remain the RUC".
The meeting had been planned before last week's events, and originally looked set to be dominated by police concerns about prisoner releases and the international commission, headed by Mr Chris Patten, into the future of policing in the North. But Mr Blair took the opportunity to show solidarity with the force.
Mr Les Rodgers, chairman of the federation, which speaks for 13,500 officers, said Mr Blair had been "very supportive". "The Prime Minister gave us assurances that the RUC will remain the RUC," he said.