CRASH & BYRNE

SIMON Byrne has resigned as chief constable of the PSNI following a string of controversies, stating that it is time for someone new to lead policing in Northern Ireland.

- JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE

The news that the embattled police chief has left with immediate effect was announced at a press conference yesterday following an emergency meeting of the PSNI's oversight body, the Policing Board.

The resignation has been welcomed by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who said it was the "first step" in rebuilding confidence in the force, and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, who said confidence in Mr Byrne had been "irreparably shattered".

Mr Byrne had faced a number of challenges in recent weeks, including the fallout from a major PSNI data breach, in which the names and details of all officers and staff members were mistakenly released online.

His troubles deepened last week when High Court judge Mr Justice Scoffield ruled that two junior officers were unlawfully disciplined for an arrest made at a Troubles commemoration event in 2021.

The judge said they had been disciplined to allay a threat that Sinn Fein could withdraw its support for policing. Sinn Fein has insisted there was no such threat.

PRESSURE

Mr Byrne had originally insisted that he would not resign but has now reversed that decision in the face of growing pressure from politicians and his own officers.

At yesterday afternoon's press conference, 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.