Against a background of mixed reaction from local politicians, the former Hong Kong governor, Mr Chris Patten has confirmed he will chair the commission on policing to be set up if the Belfast Agreement is approved in next month's referendum.
Mr Patten said last night from the US that he would "certainly welcome the appointment". He had discussed the job on the telephone with the Northern Secretary, Dr Mowlam and her officials but said establishing the commission was conditional on a "positive result" in the May 22nd poll.
The job offer to Mr Patten, a former minister at the Northern Ireland Office, was welcomed by spokesmen for the main unionist and nationalist parties, but others expressed their reservations or outright opposition.
The Ulster Unionist security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis approved the choice of Mr Patten as "an establishment UK figure" but pointed out that the UUP had advised against having a commission at this time.
The UUP leader, Mr David Trimble said the appointment showed clearly that the commission was not going to be an international one - a major issue with his party. "It's going to be a commission very firmly within the orbit of a British consideration of the matter," he said.
The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume said "very negative people" had leaked the appointment to the news media. "Chris Patten is someone who is very experienced on Northern Ireland and highly respected by all sections of the people here."
However, the Rev Ian Paisley, recalling Mr Patten's role in Hong Kong and in preparations for the Anglo-Irish Agreement, said he was "hardly a man who endears himself to unionists". The Grand Orange Lodge said the appointment would "bring no comfort. It was he who made the infamous decision in the city of Londonderry to change the council name to `Derry City Council'."
The UUP dissident, Mr Willie Thompson, MP, said: "Most unionists will remember Mr Patten as he stood lowering the Union Jack on Hong Kong and what we find in Northern Ireland is that the British Government are slowly but surely lowering the Union Jack." The UK Unionist leader, Mr Robert McCartney asked: "Is he engaged in the preparations for the lowering of the flag nearer home?"
The Derry-based Pat Finucane Centre, which monitors rights issues, said the commission should be chaired by an "independent international figure" and include representatives of the British and Irish governments.
It is understood that Mr Patten's appointment would be welcomed at senior level in the RUC. However, Sinn Fein refused to comment on the move, stressing the need for the commission to have a remit to bring about fundamental change, which meant "replacing the RUC as speedily as possible".
The purpose of the commission is "to make recommendations for future policing arrangements in Northern Ireland including means of encouraging widespread community support for these arrangements".
Complaints against the RUC rose by 22 per cent last year, according to the 10th annual report of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints, to be published today. From 1995-97, complaints rose by a third.
The commission has warned against "rushing into ready explanations based on such bare statistics". It is pledging to monitor allegations of incivility against police officers and the use of handcuffs.
The former US president, Mr George Bush, has been asked by the British Government to lead an international effort to attract investment to Northern Ireland, the Guardian newspaper reports today, saying he has made no commitment. --(AFP)