This evening, the First Minister of Northern Ireland announced that she has issued a Policing Directive to the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, allowing them to use Westminster Legislation as a last resort should the legislation provided by the Northern Irish Assembly not provide sufficient support to constables of the PSNI.
In the document, it is stated that the Chief Constable should request permission from the First Minister before authorising the directive & should only be used when there is a gap in applicable Northern Irish legislation.
It was also mentioned that these powers should not be used as a way to “prefer” Westminster legislation over Northern Irish legislation.
The Directive will remain in force until it is recalled, and can be read here.