Selection for new PSNI chief constable to be complete by early November

Northern Ireland Policing Board chair Deirdre Toner has said that applications for a new chief constable of the PSNI will open at the end of this month.

She's added that a "selection" will be complete by early November.

She said that recent meetings of the board were not held in public due to the "sensitive nature of the issues being discussed".

"The board's priority over the last few days has been to bring stability and confidence in what has been an unprecedented time for policing."

She said that the "authority gaps" within the force need to be addressed and were discussed on Thursday, but that public commentary on confidence in individuals on the force's senior leadership team "is not endorsed by the board".

Asked whether Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton is still in place, Policing Board chair Deirdre Toner said he was still in the role.

"Mark is at the minute getting an unplanned medical procedure," she said, adding that he is expected to be back at his desk in a few days.

She added he is still in that role and some duties have been delegated to his senior management team.

Vice-chair of the board Edgar Jardine said "yes" when asked if the assistant chief constables were "currently in charge".

Mr Jardine said that public commentary on confidence on senior members of the PSNI "are not endorsed by the board".