Hamilton attempting to dupe people on Maze
03 April 2009
TUV Leader Jim Allister MEP has responded to Simon Hamilton’s comments in which he denied OFMDFM support for a Maze shrine.
Jim Allister said:
“That any member of the DUP should demand an apology from a Traditional Unionist is somewhat ironic given that that party has so much to apologise for in gifting us terrorist-inclusive government.
“My remarks about the potential for an IRA shrine at the Maze were most certainly not the product of a “fevered imagination”. However, the intemperate response from Mr Hamilton makes it clear that by highlighting this issue I have caused temperatures to rise in DUP headquarters as they fear the public knowing what is going on.
“The simple facts of the matter are these. I wrote to two successive DUP Ministers – Arlene Foster and Sammy Wilson – asking them to delist the ugly buildings at the Maze and then demolish them. Both refused to do so. This perpetuates the potential for a shrine at the site.
“Secondly, the Task Force report to which Mr Hamilton refers not only makes mention of the conflict transformation centre but states that “the Northern Ireland authorities have expressed an interest in promoting the development of a facility to provide research and advice on the theme of conflict resolution.” Thus, it is clear that OFMDFM lobbied Europe for funding for the venture.
"President Pottering went on record during his visit in November 2008 to say he had been lobbied by OFMDFM for EU funding for a conflict transformation centre at the Maze.
“I wrote to Peter Robinson in August 2008 asking what steps the Department he jointly heads had taken to reverse their pervious support for the objectionable centre. Over four months later I received a two line reply which simply stated that the development of the Maze site was currently under consideration. He did not deny that support had been offered for the project in the past. Nor did he say that support had been withdrawn.
“This issue is not part of some bitter crusade on my part against the DUP. It is part of my ongoing campaign against Republicanism. The invective in Mr Hamilton’s response shows just how near the mark I was in highlighting this concession.
“Since this is an OFMDFM issue I challenge OFMDFM to officially go on record to say the Maze Shrine project is abandoned. There is no point in DUP denials when it’s an official OFMDFM withdrawal of support which counts. So let's hear it."
