Clarity of IMC on UVF welcome - pity not so clear on IRA

15 September 2010

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“I welcome the report by the IMC in so far as it clearly points the finger at the paramilitary murder gang responsible. What many will find hard to explain is why the report does not suggest any sanctions against the supposedly decommissioned UVF or its political wing. Yet again it appears that terrorists have been allowed to get away with murder while the powers that be downplay vile murder as “a one off” which can occur within a perverse ‘peace process’, without the visitation of any political sanction.

“Having said that, one cannot escape wondering why the IMC were prepared to link this murder to the leadership of the UVF when the murder of Paul Quinn – which was unquestionably carried out by Provisionals in South Armagh – was effectively written off as the actions of rogue individuals who used to be associated with the PIRA. To its shame the political expediency of the moment caused the IMC to bottle its obligations over the Quinn murder and instead play the political game of deception necessary to sustain IRA/Sinn Fein in government.”

Terrorism