Paisley ducking and diving - Allister
07 August 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
“On two significant issues, the Sexual Orientation Regulations and Guidance on employing terrorist convicts, the First Minister, after weeks of stalling on replies, has tried to duck and dive his way out of giving straight answers.
On 8th May I wrote to him seeking an assurance that now he was in charge of the relevant department, he would set about repealing the obnoxious Sexual Orientation Regulations. After almost 3 months a joint letter on behalf of himself and his deputy – because he can’t sign letters without McGuinness – tried to dodge the question by claiming he couldn’t comment because of a Judicial Review. This is nonsense, so, I have replied to the First Minister as follows:-
“I am in receipt of your belated and pitiful reply of 30 July 2007 to my letter of 8 May 2007 in respect of the above regulations.
I did not ask you to comment in any way upon the current Judicial Review. Thus, hiding behind it as a means of avoiding dealing with my correspondence is transparently pathetic and a mere device to avoid the issues raised with you. I really did expect better.
I note that the same Judicial Review did not impede your deputy from lauding the said regulations at a gay pride event in Londonderry, as reflected on the website of your office. How can this Judicial Review impede you from answering my letter, but not hinder your deputy in promoting this obnoxious legislation? Patently, the stance taken in your letter of 30 July is untenable. I, therefore, reiterate my request for a substantive answer to my letter.”
Then, on the guidance issued, just before devolution, on employment of terrorists I wrote to the First Minister enquiring as to where he stood. Again he failed to answer, hiding behind the fact that the guidance was issued under Direct Rule. That may be so, but it falls to be implemented on his watch, so, surely he has a view on its suitability?
In consequence of being tied inextricably to McGuinness, as his equal, and, thus, unable to express an opinion as First Minister with which Sinn Fein does not concur, Ian Paisley is hopelessly trapped and unable to deliver on any of his promises. There was no one, apparently, more opposed to the Sexual Orientation Regulations when they were introduced, yet now that he is in government he is strangely silent, while McGuinness can launch a gay pride festival in Londonderry and declare support for these regulations and OFMDFM’s commitment to the principles therein.”
