Lord Fitt joined with Conservative and Northern Ireland peers in the attempt to save the RUC's name. Bill on Wednesday, which is based on the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Policing, headed by EU commissioner Chris Patten. The Bill is due to become law by the end of the year. Unionist and nationalist politicians in Northern Ireland are pressing for changes in the proposed legislation. Sinn Fein and the SDLP have argued that the Bill does not implement the Patten report in full.
Unionists believe the proposed laws go too far.
They are opposed to provisions proposing a new name and emblem and a campaign to recruit equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants. Bombing marked by school protesters Links to more Northern Ireland stories are at the foot of the page.