This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8263295.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Paisley approved Libyan transfer Paisley approved Libyan transfer
(19 minutes later)
Correspondence from the Policing Board has confirmed that Ian Paisley Junior approved the secondment of PSNI officers to train Libyan police.Correspondence from the Policing Board has confirmed that Ian Paisley Junior approved the secondment of PSNI officers to train Libyan police.
Mr Paisley was the chair of the Human Resources sub-committee when it was asked to approve the move in December 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.
It's understood the request for the secondment came in December 2008. It is understood 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.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.
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 BBC has seen a copy of a letter from the Policing Board to the Northern Ireland Office in December 2008.The BBC has seen a copy of a letter from the Policing Board to the Northern Ireland Office in December 2008.
It confirms that the NPIA had requested the secondment of an officer to work in Libya.It confirms that the NPIA had requested the secondment of an officer to work in Libya.
"The Chair of the Human Resources Committee has been made aware of this request on 11 December 2008 and has approved the secondment," the letter continues."The Chair of the Human Resources Committee has been made aware of this request on 11 December 2008 and has approved the secondment," the letter continues.
The appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Secretary of State.The appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Secretary of State.
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
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'
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.
TUV leader Jim Allister said approving the move showed "utter disregard to the history and deep sensitivities felt over Libya".TUV leader Jim Allister said approving the move showed "utter disregard to the history and deep sensitivities felt over Libya".
"Given the magnitude of this gaffe I would call on Nigel Dodds to join with me in calling on Ian Paisley Junior to resign from the Policing Board," he said."Given the magnitude of this gaffe I would call on Nigel Dodds to join with me in calling on Ian Paisley Junior to resign from the Policing Board," he said.
'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.