Allister protests removal of Protection Weapons from ex-security personnel
23 January 2009
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister MEP
“It has become increasingly clear that there is an orchestrated drive afoot by the PSNI and the NIO to radically reduce the number of Personal Protection Weapons held by former members of the security forces. The escalating number of appeals which I have been asked to support makes this very clear as almost every ppw licence renewal is being refused.
The Chief Constable tells us the threat from republican terrorists, flying under the flag of “dissidents” has never been higher, yet simultaneously he is presiding over the determined removal from former security personnel – many living in areas where the threat is highest – of their only means of protection, their ppw. This is scandalous!
I believe this calculated campaign by the PSNI is driven by a desire to placate Sinn Fein and demonstrate a drastic reduction in weapons lawfully held by civilians. The scant regard which it shows for the safety of men and women, who put themselves on the front line, is appalling. Because of their bravery in standing against terrorism these ex-security personnel, whose actions have not been forgotten by those they thwarted, are vulnerable to terrorist attack. They should not be left as easy targets, denuded of protection for the sake of the political expediency of humouring Sinn Fein.
This is but another knock-on effect of having a terrorist-inclusive government in Northern Ireland and another manifestation of how discarded are former members of our gallant security forces.
At the same time, I wonder how many Sinn Fein “bodyguards” have been facilitated with licences to carry weapons?”
