TUV challenges Justice Minister over cop out on Northern Bank
21 January 2011
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
“Following last month’s revelations from Wikileaks, implicating the Sinn Fein leaders in the Northern Bank robbery, I wrote to the Justice Minister pressing him to review the adequacy of the investigation to date, in light of the revelation that the Dublin Government believed McGuinness and Adams had prior knowledge of the robbery, and the fresh information that Adams had met Cunningham, the money-launderer, before the robbery. I challenged David Ford to demonstrate that political considerations would not hamper or restrain the pursuit of justice.
Having now received a reply, which can only be described as a classic cop out, claiming such matters are solely for the Chief Constable, I have written afresh to Mr Ford pointing out that his oversight role of both the police and the prosecution service does entitle him to enquire into the adequacy of any investigation. In this instance I suspect his reticence is because of the potential political implications of enquiring if his Executive colleague, McGuinness, to whom he owes his position, was adequately investigated.
The self-explanatory terms of my latest letter to David Ford are as follows:
Dear Minister,
re: Northern Bank Robbery
I am in receipt of your reply of 4th inst, which I find disappointing.
I am not asking you to interfere in the operational functions of the PSNI, but to review the adequacy of the investigation to date in view of the information now in the public domain from Wikileaks concerning Adams and McGuinness, and in the light of the range of criminal offences embracing withholding of information, conspiracy and the law on accomplices. Your oversight role relating not just to the PSNI but also the Public Prosecution Service does not, I suggest, afford you the opportunity to take refuge in such matters being 'operational'. There are patently wider oversight issues here which I am disappointed you are anxious to evade.
I, therefore, review my call for action by you, whatever the embarrassment which might arise from probing about one, McGuinness, to whom you owe your position. Public confidence requires a Justice Minister to rise above such matters and demonstrate fearless independence, whatever the cost.
Yours sincerely,
“Anywhere else in the world, allegations that the holder of the highest office in government had knowledge of a bank robbery would rock government to its core and the local parliament would be alight with demands for action. Yet, here, such revelations can unfold and there is not a single MLA exercised enough to take it under their notice. Such is the extent to which Stormont has become anesthetised to terrorists in government.
“How things will change when TUV arrives in Stormont in May!”
