Statement by TUV South Antrim Assembly Candidate Richard Cairns:
“I welcome the fact that the Orange Order have dismissed any suggestion that Martin McGuinness should be invited to an Orange 12th of July demonstration. As the Institution rightly points out, they have over 300 reasons not to do so.
“It is the height of arrogance for McGuinness to question if the Orange Order is “big enough” to invite him when just a few months ago he said: “I was proud to be a member of the IRA. I am still, 40 years on”.
“That is the same IRA which bust into an Orange Hall in Tullyvallen and murdered five men because they were members of the Orange Order. Republicans didn’t wait for an invite that night.
“McGuinness’ grandstanding is in stark contrast to what the Loyal Orders have experienced when it comes to parading. So-called residents groups were manufactured by Sinn Fein/IRA to prevent parades. Gerry Adams was secretly recorded in 1995 admitting as much in a Sinn Fein meeting:
“Ask any activist in the North, did Drumcree happen by accident, and he will tell you ‘no’. Three years of work on the Ormeau Road, Portadown, and other parts of Fermanagh and Newry, Armagh and Bellaghy, and up in Derry. Three years of work went into creating that situation and fair play to those who put the work in. They are the type of scene changes we need to focus on and develop and exploit.”
“To this day Sinn Fein/IRA have a prominent role in protests against Loyal Order parades. Even the Culture Minister comes out to show her opposition to Orange culture!
“If McGuinness genuinely wants to reach out to the Loyal Orders he should reveal what he knows about murders of members of the Orders. Additionally, Sinn Fein/IRA orchestrated protests should immediately stop.”