The Policing Board is made up of nine independents and 10 politicians

Alex Maskey told the chief constable his party wanted to see unarmed officers "sooner rather than later".

Robert McCartney's sisters were also there, seeking the latest information on his killing two years ago.

One of his sisters, Catherine, claimed members of Sinn Fein were still refusing to pass on information about the killing to the police.

"Sinn Fein said there were 12 of its members in the vicinity of the bar that night. We have never agreed with that number," she said.

"But there are at least 10 current members of Sinn Fein who have refused to cooperate directly with the police.

"I find it hard to believe how Alex Maskey can announced people (who didn't cooperate) have been suspended or resigned. I would doubt any members were expelled."

However, Mr Maskey said senior Sinn Fein members had urged anyone with information on the killing to come forward.

"We have made it very, very clear repeatedly, as have our leaders on a regular, routine basis, that we want to see justice," he said.

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said he had already dealt with the issue at a recent private session of the board.

Sinn Fein has three members on the Policing Board

Members of the board sat at the table and posed for cameras last week - but there were no PSNI officers present and the talking was behind closed doors.

At Wednesday's public meeting, other issues raised included Sir John Steven's investigation into allegations of collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries.

Sinn Fein voted in January to back police in Northern Ireland for the first time.

Its three representatives on the board are Alex Maskey, Martina Anderson and Daithi McKay.

The DUP is the largest political party on the board, with four members. The Ulster Unionists have two and the SDLP has one.

The board also has nine independents.