Sinn Fein has gun to weakened DUP's head over policing & justice - Allister
12 January 2010
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister
“IRA/Sinn Fein has put the gun to the DUP’s head over policing and justice- imagery which is not alien for Sinn Fein.
“Yesterday, the DUP faced the reality that a permanent change of leader and First Minister meant an early Assembly election, as Sinn Fein would have blocked the transition. For many of the 36 MLAs the prospect of not returning to Stormont was a self-serving determining issue. Hence, support for Mr Robinson beyond what he really enjoys and, hence, the surge last night into serious negotiations with Sinn Fein over the justice issue.
“I must, therefore, warn Unionists to prepare for a catastrophic roll-over by the DUP on meeting Sinn Fein’s strategic demand of ending British control of policing and justice – the two most potent symbols of sovereignty in any nation. Quite apart from the obscenity of ever delivering policing and justice to the grasp of an Executive where those who presided over the murder of policemen and judges hold the power of veto, I believe confidence in the ability of this failed Executive to even handle those critical powers has never been lower. Stormont in crisis and Stormont which has botched everything it touches, most particularly education, is no place to devolve any more powers, never mind critical control over policing and justice.
I recognise that there has been a minority in the DUP fighting a rearguard action against this strategic sell-out to Sinn Fein’s agenda, but yesterday they were outmanoeuvred. Today, I imagine they are feeling the same disappointment and discouragement which I was feeling 3 years ago as I tried to withstand the government-assisted tide towards mandatory coalition with Sinn Fein. I would like to hope that those opposed to this cave-in will not wilt, but then I do have to recall that in 2007 they succumbed to the pressure to conform. It would be in the interests of their country if this time they did otherwise.
“There is a powerful obligation on those who have made promises, like Lord Morrow last week, to now deliver on their pledges. You can’t say one week “There will be no devolution of policing and justice during the lifetime of this Assembly….it is not going to happen and that is it. It will not happen before the General Election or the Assembly election. It is not an issue.”, and then stand back and let it happen!
“So, I must warn Unionists to be vigilant against the gifting to Sinn Fein of their top ‘Brits Out’ demand for the sake of keeping terrorist-inclusive government afloat.”
