MEP comments on Sinn Fein and policing
02 January 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
"So Sinn Fein finally calls an Executive Meeting, after months of procrastination and feet dragging, and expects plaudits! But, then makes its Ard Fheis conditional on others responding positively to their conditions and demands. Not much sign here of a genuine conversion to the democratic pre-requisite of democratic parties unconditionally supporting the forces and structures of law and order.
But, as we’ve often said, full support for the police, the rule of law and the courts is not to be judged by a mere formula of words. It’s about tested and proven delivery over a credible period – which patently cannot exist between January and March – with tangible proof in the form of dismantling of the “Army Council”, abandonment of all trappings of and attachment to criminality and paramilitarism, public support for and manifestations of people coming forward to give evidence, such as in the McCartney case, and unequivocal support for the PSNI as the only lawful police service existing to enforce compliance with the law in this part of the United Kingdom. With Sinn Fein having dragged its feet for months since St Andrews, there clearly cannot be an adequate or credible testing period between now and March.
Of course, unequivocal support by Sinn Fein for policing was only ever one of the requirements for inclusive devolution. Others included the delivery in legislation of a workable exclusion mechanism to deal with the eventuality of Sinn Fein reverting to form and defaulting, as in the past, if admitted to government. HMG has yet to deliver on this requirement, so central to the conditional endorsement which the DUP sought in its consultation process.
So before false euphoria takes a grip, it is necessary to reflect on these realities."
