Statement by TUV West Tyrone candidate Trevor Clake:
“In recent times Sinn Fein has attempted to reposition itself politically, at least outwardly, as it endeavours to broaden its electoral base. It has been attempting to do so with a range of demographics, including to a generation that didn’t live through the IRA’s merciless and unjustified terror campaign, which resulted in the murders of over 1,800 people.
“As part of its attempt to re-write history, Sinn Fein has even gone as far as deleting years of material from its own website, concerned its continued existence would expose the party’s hypocrisy in respect of issues such as its past and current stances on Russia in light of Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.
“It needn’t have bothered, as it publicly demonstrated that hypocrisy again today. An event this morning glorifying terrorists in Castlederg is a clear reminder, if needed, that Sinn Fein was joined at the hip with a terrorist organisation that brought death and destruction to our town, and many others across the Province. Through its own actions Sinn Fein continues to show support for those whose only intent was to use violence to achieve outcomes it was unable to obtain through democratic means.
“The attempted sanitisation of terror is not the politics of progress, but a reminder that Sinn Fein isn’t a normal political party and shouldn’t be treated as such. That’s why TUV guarantees it will not enable any SF first minister, and why it is a position that is resonating with so many people.”