Stop Thief!
So you have evidence a crime is being committed, there are police officers present, but you just can't bring yourself to turn in the guilty party.
The dillemma of an onlooker in North Belfast? Well maybe, but in my case this sums up my thoughts as I saw my umbrella being whisked away from me this afternoon. Okay, the Chief Constable Matt Baggott was close at hand, but I couldn't envisage him intervening as the perpetrators were none other than the First Minister Peter Robinson and his junior minister, Robin Newton.
As their news conference outside Stormont Castle turned wet and windy, a government official grabbed the closest brolly to hand (mine) to provide cover for the politicians. And after a plaintive cry of "bring back my brolly" I got it back in time for a ´óÏó´«Ã½ News channel report so no harm done. I shan't be ordering out a snatch squad.
During the news conference itself, the politicians and the police were determined to minimise any differences and emphasise their united committment. Martin McGuinness talked disparagingly about the "tiny" numbers of those involved and the "micro groups" stirring up trouble. Peter Robinson said the OFMDFM's North Belfast Task Force had already met 13 times. When I questioned whether the weekend events were an indictment of that taskforce he countered by pointing out how many of those involved in the disorder had come from outside the area.
Matt Baggott again promised arrests once the video evidence has been properly examined. But no one could promise this won't all happen again next year. No matter how many community relations initiatives are adopted, or new quangoes created to look after parades, there is no magic wand which can be waved to make the summer tensions go away.
I'm 
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