Ford regrets Browne departure

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 13th Jun 2003

Alliance Party Leader, David Ford, expressed his regret at the departure of NIO Minister, Des Browne, as a result of the Prime Minister's Cabinet reshuffle today. Mr Ford pays tribute to Mr Browne's sterling work on community relations, criminal justice and victims.

Mr Ford said:

"Des Browne was one of the more proactive Ministers we have had in recent years. He was responsible for a number of important initiatives in the field of criminal justice, victims and community relations.

"Alliance would particularly highlight his recent decision to launch a long-overdue consultation on the future of community relations in Northern Ireland. This is an issue that David Trimble and Mark Durkan failed to initiate, for nearly an entire year when they served as First and Deputy First Minister.

"I wish Des Browne every success in his new office, and hope that his successor, John Spellar, will take forward many of the good initiatives that Des Browne made.

/ENDS