Allister Unveils Bill to Ban Terrorists from Special Adviser Posts - and Remove McArdle
11 October 2011
Jim Allister today unveiled a Private Members Bill which would ban people convicted of an offence carrying a sentence of five years or more from holding the post of Special Adviser to a Minister at Stormont – and remove anyone convicted of such an offence already in the role.
The TUV leader was accompanied at the launch of his consultation on the Bill by Ann Travers. Miss Travers’s 22 year old sister Mary was murdered by Mary McArdle. McArdle is currently a Special Adviser to the Culture Minister.
Commenting the TUV leader said:
“No event in recent years has done more to illustrate the depravity at the heart of Northern Ireland politics than the appointment of a convicted killer to the post of Special Adviser. Quite understandably there was a public outcry following the appointment – thanks in no small part to the courageous and outspoken stand of Miss Travers.
“However, Stormont has been marked by a desire to brush the matter under the carpet.
“The Culture Minister attended a meeting of the statutory committee overseeing the work of her department just a short while after it was revealed that she had appointed McArdle yet no mention was made of the issue.
“I attempted to secure a debate in the Assembly expressing dismay and disgust at the appointment but no space was found for the issue.
“It is evident from an interview the First Minister gave two weeks ago that the review of the appointment of Special Advisers carried out by the Finance Minister will do nothing to remove McArdle.
“Hence the need for this Bill.
“My Private Members Bill will disqualify anyone with a criminal conviction which carries a sentence of five years or more from holding the post of Special Adviser. Furthermore, if it becomes law anyone who holds the position of Special Adviser and is convicted of such an offence will cease to hold office.
“Today I am calling upon all who believe in basic human decency, Unionist and Nationalist, to support my proposals. The Bill presents Stormont with an opportunity to right a great wrong. It will remove someone convicted of the most grievous of offences from an extravagantly well paid job and prevent the situation from ever arising again.
“Yesterday Martin McGuiness when confronted by the son of a man who lost his father at the hands of the IRA claimed that he had been part of a process in Northern Ireland which tried to heal the wounds of victims. The appointment of McArdle, showed that nothing could be further from the truth. Sinn Fein/IRA continue to thumb their noses at the innocent victims of terrorism North and South. It is high time truly democratic parties stood up to them and showed them up for what they really are. That is the challenge facing all the parties at Stormont today.
“I would appeal to people across Northern Ireland to respond to the consultation on the Bill. Every response which is received in support of these proposals – be it from an organisation or individual – will show support for the Travers family who have suffered so much as a result of Sinn Fein/IRA’s heartless appointment.”
You can obtain a copy of the consultation document from the TUV website at www.tuv.org.uk, by phoning Mr Allister’s offices on 90521461 or 25640250 or emailing info@jimallister.org.
Copies of the consultation can also be obtained by writing to 38 Henry Street, Ballymena BT4 3XX
The deadline for responses to the consultation is 30th November.
