Allister slams outcome of PSNI review on PPW's
11 June 2009
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has slammed the outcome of a review by the PSNI on personal protection weapons, which has recommended no change to the existing policy that a ppw licence will not be issued or renewed unless there is intelligence pointing to a specific threat on the life of the holder.
The MEP said,
“In light of the recent murders of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar in Antrim, and Constable Stephen Carroll in Lurgan by Republican terrorists, many former members of the security forces are deeply concerned for their personal safety. I am personally aware of dozens of examples where personal protection weapons have been removed despite protestations from the holders, and with little consideration given of the areas in which the holders live.”
“At a time when the Chief Constable tells us that the threat from dissident Republicans is at an all time high, it is nonsensical to be proceeding with the hurried removal of ppw’s simply because they present an inconvenience to Sinn Fein/IRA with the imminent prospect of policing and justice being devolved.”
“There is no logic to this decision by the PSNI’s Senior Command, for in the cases of the recent murders by Republicans, no intelligence of a specific threat on the lives of those particular victims existed.”
“I have made various representations to the Northern Ireland Office and to the Chief Constable, insisting that the current policy on ppw’s is highly dangerous for all concerned, and should be abolished. I fear lives are being put in danger needlessly simply to pursue a particular political agenda”.
ENDS
