The Chief Constable of the PSNI is in “no doubt” of the “need to reaffirm confidence” in the force after footage emerged of patrol cars lapping a street in celebration of Armagh’s All-Ireland win, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said.
Mr Robinson, the MP for East Belfast, said he spoke with Jon Boutcher on Monday morning.
It comes after video clips showed police vehicles, with sirens and blue flights flashing, driving up and down the road in Camlough. In one case a driver appears to be waving an Armagh flag from the window.
It was filmed hours after the county’s footballers beat Galway to lift the Sam Maguire trophy for the second time at Croke Park.
The PSNI has now launched an internal investigation.
Mr Robinson said on Monday that the “impartiality, integrity and professional standards” of the police force have been called into question.
“They weren’t on display last night in Camlough and questions remain about events at Lurgan PSNI station,” he said.
Meanwhile, a further meeting has been scheduled.
“My DUP policing board colleagues and Carla Lockhart will meet with senior police officers this afternoon,” he said.
TUV leader Jim Allister on Sunday demanded an investigation into what he called “a disgraceful display”.
Superintendent Norman Haslett, the District Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, said: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media of our officers, driving Police Service of Northern Ireland vehicles, taking part in celebrations following Armagh winning the All-Ireland final,” he said.
“We have commenced an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding this.”
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Armagh beat Galway by 1-11 to 0-13 to win the All-Ireland for the first time since 2002, sparking celebrations across the county.
However, the PSNI incident looks set to cause a major row.
One clip circulating widely online shows three PSNI vehicles arrive in the village in quick succession.
Two appear to drive on through, but the third circles a mini roundabout before returning, pulling up and appearing to collect an Armagh flag from a fan.
The driver is then seen waving the flag from the window before driving back towards the mini roundabout, with the vehicle’s emergency siren and lights flashing.
A crowd of onlookers can be heard cheering.
Footage has also emerged of an Armagh fan climbing onto part of Lurgan PSNI station unchallenged.
Jon Burrows, a retired senior PSNI officer, said the scenes were inappropriate.
He posted on X: “It’s a wonderful day for Armagh GAA and for all their players, families, friends and supporters. However, the police service is a professional body and police cars should not be driven like this, regardless of the occasion.”
He added: “I’ve always worked hard to build community relations, but I do think it is inappropriate for any flag to be flown from a police car.
“The photo of Lurgan PSNI station also represents a security breach and clear trespass which should be investigated.”
Keith Buchanan, a Mid-Ulster MLA, asked: “Who was in control of this vehicle? Yes, a PSNI officer. So those of you who were stopped for undue care or dangerous driving no doubt will be asking, the same police force that issued you a fine, what happens them?”
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said she expected the PSNI “to act with neutrality” and had raised her concerns with the local police commander.
Meanwhile North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the PSNI needed to “wise up”.
“I will be contacting the Police Ombudsman and the Chief Constable following a disgraceful display by officers in a marked PSNI car tonight” he said.
Mr Allister added: “Loyalists are often challenged about why we talk about two-tier policing. Tonight we see evidence of this in bright lights.
“Independent policing has gone out the window and the PSNI has destroyed any pretence of being a balanced force.
“Urgent action is required against the officers involved if there is to be any hope of confidence not plunging to an all-time low.”