Forty-five new Police Service of Northern Ireland officers were formally attested at the Police College, Garnerville, on Friday. The ceremony featured music from the pipes and drums of both the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.

The involvement of the Garda band drew criticism from TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister. He argued that the presence of a foreign police force’s ceremonial unit at the induction of UK officers was inappropriate and a deliberate provocation. He accused the PSNI leadership of using the occasion to promote an all-Ireland political message.

Mr Allister distinguished between necessary operational co-operation across the border and the ceremonial participation of An Garda Síochána. He said the event paraded the uniform and insignia of a foreign police service in a way that advanced a narrative of a single all-Ireland policing jurisdiction.

He also highlighted comments by Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who attended the attestation for the first time. The Commissioner spoke of the new constables joining a wider police family and referred to keeping communities safe across the island. Mr Allister said these remarks confirmed the political symbolism he identified.

The TUV leader has put three questions to Chief Constable Jon Boutcher: who invited the Garda band, whether the band had ever participated in a PSNI attestation before, and why such involvement was considered suitable. He said the PSNI leadership appeared increasingly willing to accommodate nationalist symbolism while showing little regard for unionist sensitivities.

Chief Constable Boutcher said the Commissioner’s attendance made the day even more special for the new officers and their families. He emphasised that attestation ceremonies are highlights of the policing year and that the declaration binds each officer to serve with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality.

Commissioner Kelly said he was honoured to be invited and praised the new officers for answering the call to serve their communities. He added that he looked forward to strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two services.

The PSNI described the event simply as an attestation for its newest officers and stressed the working relationship with An Garda Síochána. It did not attach any political or constitutional meaning to the Garda presence.

The three questions remain unanswered, and a further response from the Chief Constable is awaited.