Sir Hugh Annesley resists call to resign

Sir Hugh Annesley resisted calls for his resignation as chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary last night, when the police authority in Northern Ireland cancelled a vote of no confidence in him over his handling of the parade in Drumcree.

Sir Hugh was asked to justify his decision to allow Protestants to march through Catholic estates last week during the Orange Order parade, which ended in widespread rioting. But Sean Neeson, who accused Sir Hugh of bringing Northern Ireland to the "brink of civil war", said he was persuaded not to move the resolution. Mr Neeson said: "While I'm not entirely satisfied with all of the explanations that were given, the chief constable has agreed to meet me in the very near future to discuss some other matters. The important thing now is to try to restore confidence in policing in Northern Ireland." Rebecca Fowler