Sinn Fein sustained in government by "sceptics"
11 July 2008
Speaking at the annual 11th Night bonfire at Ladyhill in South Antrim, Jim Allister MEP, reflecting on a year of DUP/Sinn Fein government, said Martin McGuinness was being sustained as joint First Minister in Ulster not just by unionist supporters of joint rule with IRA/Sinn Fein, but, tragically, by some MLAs who privately claimed to be unhappy and opposed to Sinn Fein rule.
Mr Allister said, “As we reflect on three convicted terrorists still in our government and Sinn Fein able to deliver its anti-British agenda by direct deals with Westminster, one of the saddest realities is that without some MLAs propping up a regime they privately claim to oppose, it would neither have come into existence, nor survived.
The murder of Paul Quinn by South Armagh IRA was the perfect opportunity upon which to take a stand and deliver promises made, but even those, like Lord Morrow, who told the Assembly everyone knew the IRA murdered Quinn, turned a blind eye, accepting SF can still be in government while IRA members still murder. Shame on them!
Some say government with Sinn Fein turns their stomach, but ask them to pull out the props that keep Sinn Fein in government, and they go weak at the knees.
Those who in their heart know it is wrong to have McGuinness as joint First Minister and unrepentant terrorists in other key posts, have the most to answer in explaining why, nonetheless, day and daily they prop up this regime. I too could have taken the easy option of claiming I was opposed, while all the time propping it up, but where is the integrity and principle in that?”
