Allister comments on P and J Spat at NSMC Meeting
14 December 2009
“Those who believe that the DUP are taking a hard line in relation to policing and justice would do well to remember how easily that party radically changes policy.
“The very fact that the Northern Ireland delegation at the NSMC meeting was jointly headed by Mr Robinson and Martin McGuinness demonstrates the political gymnastics of which Peter Robinson is capable.
Ten years ago this month the North/South Ministerial Council met for the first time. It took place without Mr Robinson who, along with Nigel Dodds, decided to visit a victims’ group instead. Why? Because, Mr Robinson said:
"If I had the choice of sitting down with those who speak for the perpetrators of violence or sitting down with the victims of violence, I prefer to be with the victims”.
“Just as Mr Robinson’s stance on the North/South Ministerial Council changed I have no doubt that he will shift in relation to policing and justice too. And it will take a great deal less than 10 years for this to happen – whatever Gregory Campbell says!”
