PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has hit out angrily at the SDLP and Sinn Féin in a "confidential" memo to up to 10,000 police officers while the DUP has demanded an inquiry into SDLP claims that it "ensured" the appointment of Sir Hugh as chief constable.
Sir Hugh Orde was stung into issuing the memo apparently by an open letter on policing published in last Friday's Irish Newsby SDLP leader Mark Durkan and by recent comments by Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness that Sinn Féin intended "putting manners on the PSNI" or "bossing" the PSNI.
The most serious element of this row relates to Mr Durkan's full-page open letter advertisement in the Irish News,which, as well as triggering a potential Northern Ireland Policing Board inquiry, could also result in legal action by two unsuccessful former RUC candidates for the chief constable post.
"Against the wishes of Tony Blair and [former Northern secretary] John Reid we made sure the policing board showed [former RUC and later PSNI chief constable] Ronnie Flanagan the door," wrote Mr Durkan.
"Against the wishes of Tony Blair and John Reid we ensured that the policing board appointed Hugh Orde - and not a policeman from the old RUC order," he added, in reference to the appointment process of 2002 in which SDLP and other political members of the policing board were involved.
In the memo issued on Saturday Sir Hugh described the period in the wake of the Police Ombudsman's report on special branch collusion as a "difficult week for policing" but also complained about some political parties making "unfair and damaging statements" about the PSNI.
He further complained of policing being used as a "political football" and about "insulting comments about this organisation, its staff and retired colleagues who I hold in the highest esteem".
In his most barbed comment Sir Hugh added, "I have spoken directly to the SDLP leadership to express just how angry I am and have taken steps to speak to Sinn Féin, but their leadership appears to have gone 'on the run'. I will continue until I have the opportunity to express my thoughts to them as well."
DUP policing board member Ian Paisley jnr, who first made the allegation that the SDLP engaged in unfair interview process, said Mr Durkan had admitted "his party has acted illegally over employment practices in the policing board".
He has written to the board calling for an investigation into the open letter claim that the SDLP "ensured" the appointment of Sir Hugh.
SDLP board member Alex Attwood denied the allegation. Rather than excluding any former RUC candidate the SDLP had resisted attempts by the British government to ensure that no outside candidate could be appointed, he said.
Mr Adams was dismissive about the dispute. He said the PSNI was showing its "sensitive side" and that it was "ridiculous" of the chief constable to describe his memo to up to 10,000 officers as "confidential".
Board chairman Prof Sir Desmond Rea has written to Mr Durkan about his open letter, while it was reported last night that unsuccessful candidates for the chief constable post, Alan McQuillan and Chris Albiston, both former senior RUC officers, are seeking legal advice on the issue.
The board in a statement yesterday said that in 2002 it had undertaken a "thorough, professional and legislatively compliant appointment process which was based on appointing a new chief constable solely on merit and included independent assessments".
