First Minister ducking and diving on Libya
17 September 2009
On 7 September TUV Leader Jim Allister QC wrote to the First Minister, Peter Robinson, in the following terms:
“Dear First Minister,
The office of OFMDFM boasts responsibility for both ‘victims’ and ‘international relations’. The current quest for compensation from Libya for IRA victims touches upon both these responsibilities. Accordingly, please advise what steps OFMDFM has taken and/or intends to take to advance the case against Libya?
Moreover, are you satisfied that all Ministers within OFMDFM, as those supposedly pledged to assist the rule of law, have taken all possible steps to assist in this case, not least by furnishing information which would help substantiate the case against Libya?
Yours sincerely etc.”
As a wheeze to try and avoid the embarrassment of dealing with the issue an ‘assistant Private Secretary’ was instructed to reply:
“As your correspondence does not come within the remit of OFMDFM, your letter has been passed to Peter Robinson MP MLA in his capacity as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party for consideration.”
In a curt response Mr Allister has replied:-
“Please advise the person who instructed you to write to me in such terms that I do not accept their fatuous contention.
“It is patent nonsense to suggest that my letter does not raise an issue relevant to the remit of OFMDFM since that department boasts of its responsibility for both 'victims' and 'international relations'. It may be politically inconvenient correspondence for the First Minister but it certainly is germain to his responsibilities.
“Accordingly, please be advised that I require a response from the First Minister in that capacity and I put you on notice if same is not forthcoming then I will pursue the matter with the Ombudsman.”
Commenting Mr Allister said:-
“Unable to even sign a letter without IRA leader McGuinness’ consent, the First Minister’ office is reduced to this disingenuous attempt to avoid the issue. The truth is that though OFMDFM is responsible for victims IRA/Sinn Fein is vetoing the highest office in the land from supporting the case against Libya, and Peter Robinson, unable to deliver his office on the side of victims, is reduced to the indignity of running away from the issue.
I will not, of course, allow OFMDFM to get away with avoiding the issue and not for the first time will report their maladministration on correspondence to the Ombudsman.
There isn’t a lot of point in individual DUP politicians beating their chests in support of pursuing Libya when they can’t even deliver help from the Joint First Ministers Office. Victims need their help, but instead the Joint First Ministers hinder their pursuit of justice by the Sinn Fein line prevailing.”
