DUP MEP Jim Allister QC, has condemned the involvement of a former IRA prisoner in a Peace funding event in Brussels today and the exclusion of anyone from the victims sector.

Mr Allister said, "Today, in Brussels, under the auspices, no less, of the Northern Ireland Executive Office, there was a day-long conference on Peace Funding.  I am appalled that the speakers chosen included not only an ex IRA prisoner, Tommy McKearney, but failed to include a single representative of the unionist community in Northern Ireland.  One would have thought that, at least, a representative of victim groups would have been included, but clearly such did not fit the agenda of the organisers.

I take a very serious view of this situation and in particular what it tells us about the sensitivity of the Office of the NI Executive in Brussels and its suitability for the important task which it has on Northern Ireland's behalf in Europe.  I will be requiring very clear answers from the head of this office and his political masters in Stormont, as to its stewardship.  I look forward to a day when a DUP First Minister will call it to stringent account.

In order to tangibly demonstrate my own strong disapproval of its behaviour I, as Northern Ireland's first MEP in this Parliament, have refused an invitation tonight to a reception hosted for the event by the NI Executive Office.  I do not intend to validate their disgraceful and partisan behaviour of today”.