What further concessions to Sinn Fein/IRA?
04 June 2008
Commenting on the continuing speculation about an election Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has questioned what the DUP will concede to Republicans in order to buy them off.
“The current crisis at Stormont illustrates very graphically the nature of the relationship between the DUP and Sinn Fein/IRA. The DUP cannot even change their leader without the agreement of the IRA’s political front men. Doubtless, when Mr Robinson assumes office alongside a convicted terrorist who gloats in his evil deeds the imagery will be different from that of the Chuckle Brothers era. However, Peter will still be sharing a joint office with the man he once stated was “the IRA commander in Londonderry when hundreds of killings were ordered”.
“I confidently predict that the DUP will find some way to avoid going to the Unionist community and looking for an honest mandate for their terrorist friendly government. The only question is – what will they concede to their coalition partners? The devolution of policing and justice doubtless features heavily in the current discussions. Not so long ago the DUP were telling us it would be a “political lifetime” before these powers could be devolved. We don’t hear them saying that any more!
“If these powers are devolved McGuinness will have the power to recommend who should be Lord Chief Justice, Lord Justices of Appeal, the Attorney General and also the power of involvement in removal of Judges. Scandalously, no Unionist raised a voice in protest at this when the matter was discussed at Stormont.”
ENDS
