Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I am responding to the Bill overall. I believe the structure of an independent authority would be needed to radically reform the force. The Minister would have demonstrated innovation if he had gone that far. He was not prepared to go as far as many other jurisdictions have gone in responding to a crisis in policing in their countries. We have had a crisis, as have many other open, democratic societies, and the manner in which one addresses it demonstrates how able one is to deal with that crisis. The Minister has shown some ability in that regard but not all that is required to build confidence in our police force, with the public on board. Similarly, with the ombudsman——