Statement by Bannside TUV Timothy Gaston:
“Last week Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership Chairman Danny Donnelly of Alliance promised to raise alleged “concerns” about street preachers. Mr Donnelly did that in a context where one of the preachers had been arrested but subsequently released by the PSNI without charge.
“Explaining why he was going to raise the issue Mr Donnelly told the local press:
“We live in a free and open society where freedom of religion and freedom from religion is valued in equal measure.”
“This raises a number of issues. The first is that while holding the chairmanship of the PCSP Councillor Donnelly has a duty to remain neutral on policing matters. This is something he manifestly did not do when he articulated such a partisan line on an issue that is clearly controversial at the very least.
“Secondly, one would expect the chairman of the PCSP to be concerned about the rule of law yet he claims that freedom from religion is valued in equal measure to freedom of religion. Councillor Donnelly should know that freedom of religion is a basic human right that has been enshrined in law for centuries in the United Kingdom. It is also recognised as a basic right in European and international law.
“What, however, is “freedom from religion”? No such concept exists in law and yet Councillor Donnelly claims it is valued “equally” with a human right which has been recognised for centuries!
“Historically freedom of speech and religion were values which parties which claimed to be liberal and tolerate valued. This seems to be no longer the case.
“I took the opportunity presented at last night’s meeting of the PCSP to raise the concerns which TUV have about the arrest of Mr Williamson in Larne directly with the PSNI and also reminded Cllr Donnelly that whilst in the role of Chairman of the PCSP he needs to be mindful of how he addresses policing issues.
“I continue to have a deep unease at the police actions in relation to this matter and I reminded the PSNI last night of the fundamental importance of freedom of speech and religion.
“The PSNI have done serious damage to their relationship with the Unionist community over the last twelve months and more and they should not be pursuing a line which results in them ostracising evangelical Christians who are peaceful and law-abiding citizens.”