Less support than ever for policing & justice devolution - Allister
26 November 2009
As the DUP and Sinn Fein go to Downing Street for further hothouse sessions on policing and justice, TUV Leader, Jim Allister, has warned that there is less community confidence than ever for such devolution.
Statement by TUV Leader, Jim Allister QC:
"Devolving policing and justice to an Executive and Assembly so demonstrably failing to deliver on its existing functions has never been a widespread community demand. But, I find now that people have more understanding of the issues, support is waning, not rising, particularly within the Unionist community.
"Two factors are driving this resistance. The realisation that Sinn Fein would have veto powers in the Executive on all key Justice legislation, funding and decisions, not least at a time of rising republican violence, and the response of Sinn Fein to the due process which saw the assets of Sean Hughes frozen. Minister Murphy's denunciation and Minister Gildernew's use of the incident to demand immediate devolution of justice demonstrated Sinn Fein's malevolent meddling intent. When an anti-money laundering operation, which comes too close for comfort to Sinn Fein, causes them to demand local control, then, anyone can see what awaits us if these powers were under Stormont. Rightly, such episodes stiffen the resolve of law abiding people that policing and justice powers should be kept out of an arena where Sinn Fein exercises sway and veto. Letting Sinn Fein anywhere near the levers of power on justice is seen as not just absurd but dangerous.
"The disgraceful treatment of the Full Time Reserve adds to the climate of understanding that devolving policing and justice is part of the greater Belfast Agreement/Patten masterplan. Being rooted in the deal which empowered Sinn Fein and being seen as a key republican demand makes devolving policing and justice to this Executive out of the question for a growing body of rational opinion. Sinn Fein's politicising of justice issues in recent days only adds to that resolve.
"So, if the DUP is listening to unionist opinion then it will not roll over any more on this seminal issue. If for fear of Sinn Fein it does give in then there is an ever diminishing figleaf of public confidence with which to cover its embarrassment."
