PSNI chief criticised over PM budget appeal

It’s understood the PSNI estimates that the cost of policing the recent street disorder in Northern Ireland at just under £9m.

That figure is contained within the initial letter sent by the chief constable to the prime minister, asking for specific assistance for this from the Treasury.

Mr Widdis said there are “certain protocols” which “must be followed when engaging with the UK government on matters of funding”.

He added this was “in order to respect the constitutional arrangements in NI and, in particular, the authority of ministers in a devolved government”.

On Thursday, Mr Boutcher said his “role is to deliver an effective policing service for all communities in Northern Ireland”.

“This must be delivered with operational independence having regard to my Accounting Officer obligations of which I am very well aware,” he added.

He said he had a number of statutory responsibilities, “not least those set out in Section 32 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000”, which he said requires him and his officers to:

Mr Boutcher said that in seeking to discharge his duties he had been “highlighting the critical issue of PSNI funding and the significant under resourcing” since his appointment as chief constable.