Democratic Unionist MEP, Jim Allister QC, has today launched a document entitled “Fairness For All” regarding the allocation of PEACE funding, which he has submitted to both the Government and the European Union.

Jim Allister said, “Since my election a recurring complaint raised with me is the imbalance in the distribution of Peace funding, with resulting disadvantage to the Protestant/Unionist community.

I have engaged in an extensive consultation exercise with victim and other groups from the Unionist community, while persistently pressing both HMG and Brussels to face up to this issue.

The PEACE II Extension could provide an opportunity to begin to redress the underfunding of the Protestant community.  Accordingly, this week I have lodged with both the relevant NIO Minister, Ian Pearson MP, and the Commission in Brussels a detailed document, setting out the scale of the problem and making practical suggestions for its resolution.  The document, entitled “FAIRNESS FOR ALL” is attached.

It demonstrates that the majority community has suffered a long-term funding deficit of at least £75M and suggests that the most effective mechanism to right this wrong is ‘ringfencing’ of a substantial proportion of future funding.  Neither the Government nor the Commission can afford to duck this issue any longer.  They must face up to it. If they do not, then I see no role for me in urging and seeking any further extension to Peace funding.  I will not lend myself, or my office, to perpetuating discrimination against the Unionist community”.