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Paisley approved Libyan transfer Paisley approved Libyan transfer
(40 minutes later)
The Policing Board has confirmed that Ian Paisley Junior approved the secondment of PSNI officers to train their counterparts in Libya.The Policing Board has confirmed that Ian Paisley Junior approved the secondment of PSNI officers to train their counterparts in Libya.
Mr Paisley was the chair of the Human Resources sub-committee when it was asked to approve the move in November 2008. Mr Paisley was the chair of the Human Resources sub-committee when it was asked to approve the move in December 2008.
Earlier his party colleague, Nigel Dodds, said whoever approved the move was "living on a different planet".Earlier his party colleague, Nigel Dodds, said whoever approved the move was "living on a different planet".
Mr Paisley has not yet commented on the matter.Mr Paisley has not yet commented on the matter.
A spokesperson for the Policing Board said the request for the secondment came in December 2008.A spokesperson for the Policing Board said the request for the secondment came in December 2008.
However because the request fell between meetings of the Human Resources sub-committee, protocol dictated that the chair of the committee, Ian Paisley Junior, approved the decision himself along with his vice-chair.However because the request fell between meetings of the Human Resources sub-committee, protocol dictated that the chair of the committee, Ian Paisley Junior, approved the decision himself along with his vice-chair.
It was subsequently signed off by the overall Policing Board chairman, Sir Desmond Rea.It was subsequently signed off by the overall Policing Board chairman, Sir Desmond Rea.
The Northern Ireland police officers are seconded to the UK's National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA).The Northern Ireland police officers are seconded to the UK's National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA).
The PSNI said the Policing Board was informed in December 2008 of the deployment of an officer to Libya and the NIO approved it in January 2009.The PSNI said the Policing Board was informed in December 2008 of the deployment of an officer to Libya and the NIO approved it in January 2009.
"At all times the police service acted in an open and transparent manner," it said."At all times the police service acted in an open and transparent manner," it said.
The NIO said "all the legislative requirements were met" in approving the secondment.The NIO said "all the legislative requirements were met" in approving the secondment.
During the Troubles, Libya supplied guns and explosives which the IRA used to kill police officers.During the Troubles, Libya supplied guns and explosives which the IRA used to kill police officers.
Police said a chief inspector/temporary superintendent spent a number of days in Libya last November to assess training needs.Police said a chief inspector/temporary superintendent spent a number of days in Libya last November to assess training needs.
Based on his recommendations, an inspector was part of a tactical command course between 12 January and 2 February.Based on his recommendations, an inspector was part of a tactical command course between 12 January and 2 February.
The NPIA website lists Superintendent Kevin Smith - who has served as a police officer in Northern Ireland for 24 years - as having arranged training for Libyan officers in Libya and the UK.The NPIA website lists Superintendent Kevin Smith - who has served as a police officer in Northern Ireland for 24 years - as having arranged training for Libyan officers in Libya and the UK.
It also has details of a PSNI sergeant taking part in a training event for Libyans at the national police training centre in Bramshill in November 2008.It also has details of a PSNI sergeant taking part in a training event for Libyans at the national police training centre in Bramshill in November 2008.
'International deployment''International deployment'
Whoever made that decision, whoever thought that was the right way to proceed, must be living in a different world and different planet Nigel DoddsWhoever made that decision, whoever thought that was the right way to proceed, must be living in a different world and different planet Nigel Dodds
Some relatives of IRA victims have renewed their attempt to receive compensation from Libya following the release of the Lockerbie bomber, Libyan man Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.Some relatives of IRA victims have renewed their attempt to receive compensation from Libya following the release of the Lockerbie bomber, Libyan man Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.
The DUP's Nigel Dodds is involved in that process.The DUP's Nigel Dodds is involved in that process.
He said it was "totally inappropriate and offensive" that PSNI officers were selected to provide training "given the very recent history of what the Libyans have done in terms of the annals of terrorism in Northern Ireland".He said it was "totally inappropriate and offensive" that PSNI officers were selected to provide training "given the very recent history of what the Libyans have done in terms of the annals of terrorism in Northern Ireland".
"Whoever made that decision, whoever thought that was the right way to proceed, must be living in a different world and different planet," he added."Whoever made that decision, whoever thought that was the right way to proceed, must be living in a different world and different planet," he added.
'No surprise''No surprise'
However, former British ambassador to Libya, Oliver Miles, said the training move was not unexpected.However, former British ambassador to Libya, Oliver Miles, said the training move was not unexpected.
"If you go back to Tony Blair's first visit to Libya in 2004 one of the very first things that came out of that was a statement about co-operation in the military field, in security," he said."If you go back to Tony Blair's first visit to Libya in 2004 one of the very first things that came out of that was a statement about co-operation in the military field, in security," he said.
"It doesn't at all surprise me that should involve a police element.""It doesn't at all surprise me that should involve a police element."
The NPIA said officers from a range of UK police services have trained the Libyan police.The NPIA said officers from a range of UK police services have trained the Libyan police.
The training was arranged in response to a request for support from the Home Office and the British Embassy in Tripoli.The training was arranged in response to a request for support from the Home Office and the British Embassy in Tripoli.