Simon Byrne, the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), has resigned with immediate effect.
In a statement released following an emergency meeting of the province’s policing board on Monday afternoon, Mr. Byrne said it was “now time for someone new” to lead the force after a “very difficult” few days.
The embattled police chief has faced a string of controversies over the past number of weeks including the biggest data breach in the history of the PSNI.
Last week, a separate row erupted over a High Court ruling that the disciplining of two junior officers for an arrest made at a 2021 Troubles commemoration event was unlawful.
The judge said they had been disciplined to allay a threat that nationalist political party Sinn Fein could withdraw its support for policing in the province.
Sinn Fein has since insisted there was no such threat.
Mr. Byrne had publicly insisted that he would not resign following a previous meeting of the policing board last Thursday, indicating he was considering an appeal against the court ruling.
That statement was met by anger from the Police Federation of Northern Ireland—which represents rank and file officers—with chair Liam Kelly expressing “disbelief and anger” at the chief constable’s statement.
Untenable
Speaking to reporters on Monday afternoon following the unscheduled meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, chair Deirdre Toner said Mr. Byrne had tendered his resignation with immediate effect.She said: “I have informed the board of the resignation at a special meeting this afternoon. I would like to record my thanks and appreciation to Simon for his work over the course of the last four years as chief constable.
“He is undoubtedly a dedicated police officer with a deep respect for the profession of policing.”
Ms. Toner said the police chief’s tenure was “subjected to intense scrutiny” adding that the past few weeks in particular have been “incredibly difficult for him personally and professionally.”
She said the board will now consider the leadership arrangements going forward.
Ms. Toner read the PSNI leader’s resignation statement on his behalf.
It said: “The last few days have been very difficult for all concerned. Regardless of the rights and wrongs, it is now time for someone new to lead this proud and resolute organisation.
“Can I thank those who have shown me trust, advice and friendship, and, of course, thanks to the brave men and women of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”
Responding to the news the Police Federation said Mr. Byrne’s position had become untenable and his stepping aside “the right thing to do”.
Mr. Kelly said: “The Ormeau Road judicial review and the shocking potential course of action following the Policing Board was the final straw for Mr Byrne.
“The ruling was damning and his initial acceptance followed by a volte-face around a potential legal appeal grievously undermined his credibility and authority to lead the PSNI.
“It called into question his judgment, and decision-making abilities and made his position untenable.”
Mr. Kelly also called for a full investigation into what he described as “this fiasco for policing” to determine whether anyone else in the PSNI should be held to account.
Data Breach
Reacting to the news in Westminster, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris thanked Mr. Byrne—appointed to the police role in 2019—for his work and said he would liaise with the PSNI as a successor was appointed.Answering a question from DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Mr. Heaton-Harris said, “He will know that the appointment of a new chief constable is a matter for the Northern Ireland Policing Board and I will continue to liaise with the senior management of PSNI whilst the process of appointing a successor gets underway.”
Sir Jeffrey said welcomed the decision, saying: “We believe that is the right thing to do in all the circumstances and now we want to see confidence rebuilt in our police service, and we will work with the PSNI, they have our full support, to achieve and deliver effective and efficient policing for everyone in Northern Ireland in a way that commands cross-community support.”
Since last month’s major PSNI data breach, where the names and details of over 10,000 PSNI officers and civilian staff were published online in a Freedom of Information request error, Mr. Byrne has faced growing pressure on his position.
The police chief later confirmed the information was in the hands of dissident republicans, who could use the list to generate “fear and uncertainty.”
Some of the information included the rank or grade of employees, where they are based and the unit in which they work.
This led to some staff saying they feared for their safety due to continuing threats from paramilitaries.
An independent-led review is due to be carried out into the breach.
A number of other data breaches came to light following the gaffe, including the loss of a police officer’s laptop and notebook which contained details of 42 officers and members of staff after the items fell from a moving vehicle.
Political and Policing Problems
The resignation of the Northern Ireland police leader comes as the province remains without a functioning government in a row over post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland.The region’s leading unionist party, the DUP, has refused to form an executive with Sinn Fein and other political parties over its unhappiness surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol replacing the Windsor Framework.
The lack of government has led to Northern Ireland’s budget being slashed by Westminster, with many key decisions on issues such as health and education unable to be made without ministers.
Now the the province not only faces ongoing governance uncertainty but also the lack of policing leadership.
The Police Federation said the new PSNI chief constable will have “a mountain to climb” to restore credibility, rebuild confidence and address cultural deficiencies within policing.
Mr. Kelly said: “On a personal level, Mr. Byrne has always been approachable and courteous. He has provided over 40 years of policing service to communities across the United Kingdom.
“I do not doubt his commitment and attempts to build a modern, strong, community-focused service during his tenure in Northern Ireland.
“However, he was frustrated from the outset by the failure of the government to properly finance the PSNI and provide him with the tools and resources needed to do the job.”
