Today, Jim Allister made the following speech in the European Parliament

Allister (NI). – Mr President, I want to speak on two matters. Firstly I would like to associate myself entirely with the remarks of my colleague from Northern Ireland, Mr Nicholson, with regard to the atrocious situation that has befallen Annetta Flanigan, a lady who has given selfless service to Afghanistan. Doubtless all our thoughts are with her family at this very difficult time.

Secondly, I want to dissociate myself from any eulogy to so-called President Arafat. He was an unrepentant terrorist who introduced to the world the horror of the human suicide bomber. He found common cause with other terrorist organisations throughout the world, including, in my country, the Provisional IRA, which has for years maintained fraternal relationships with its fellow murderers in the PLO. I therefore dissociate myself, on behalf of the victims in my country, from the eulogy to a confederate of world terrorism.