Allister reveals more on Ian Junior's shopping list
19 February 2008
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has today released further documentation, obtained on FOI, suggesting HMG was persuaded that satisfying Ian Junior's shopping list at St Andrews was crucial to bringing the DUP on board for devolution. After he obtained disclosure of the St Andrews' shopping list, last month, Mr Allister launched a fresh round of FOI applications designed to unearth the follow-up by both Ian Junior and the Government. These are now coming to fruition and today Mr Allister is releasing information obtained through a FOI application to DRD.
In a statement Mr Allister says:-
"While the general public of Northern Ireland were kept in the dark about Ian Paisley Jnr’s lobbying at St Andrews it is clear from further information I have obtained though a Freedom of Information request to DRD, that government departments were very aware of his activities. It is also evident that the government believed the resolution of the issues on Ian Paisley Jnr’s shopping list would play an important part in shaping the DUP attitude towards the restoration of devolution.
On 9th November a memo was sent from OFMDFM to the Permanent Secretaries of DSD, DETI, DOE, DRD and DCAL saying that they would be “aware of the representations made by Ian Paisley Jnr” and informing them that David Hanson wished to provide the DUP MLA with a response which should be “as positive as possible”.
Interestingly it stated that “In the case of the Giant’s Causeway issue, it would be appreciated if DETI and DOE could agree a single composite response”.
A copy of Ian Jur’s infamous St Andrews shopping list was included with this email.
But most significantly, departments were informed that Mr Hanson “wishes to write well in advance of 24 November and to meet this deadline, I would be grateful if your response could be forwarded to me … by close of play on 15th November”.
Do not forget that November 24th was the original deadline by which devolution was to have been restored, with the DUP required to give a response before then.
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It would appear to me, therefore, that instead of the DUP being focused on securing the best possible deal for the people of Northern Ireland and addressing the many shortcomings of the St Andrews Agreement surrounding the removal of terrorist structures, the absurdity of mandatory coalition, the joint office of First and deputy First Minister, the IRA’s ill-gotten gains, etc. the government believed they were more interested in securing progress on Ian Jnr’s wish list.
Why else would Mr Hanson have been so keen to write “well in advance of 24 November”?
This confirms to me that the DUP took its eye off the ball and wasted valuable negotiating leverage on Junior's pet projects. As Leader of the Party, Ian Paisley Senior has to carry responsibility for this squandering of the opportunities at St Andrews. He has never acknowledged what he knew of Junior's activities at St Andrews, but I'd find it very hard to believe that he did not know. Certainly, from today's disclosure, it is clear HMG took satisfying Junior as satisfying the DUP!"
Note: You can view the Memo to DRD here
