Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Last night’s horrifying attempt to murder Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell while off duty and in front of many children has rightly received condemnation from across the political spectrum. I associate myself with much of what has been said.
“However, I will not, like much of the media, turn a blind eye to the rank hypocrisy of those members of Sinn Fein who have condemned this murder bid and expressed concern for the children who witnessed it while continuing to defend, excuse and even celebrate those who committed similar acts.
“One cannot defend the singing of “Ooh, ah, up the ‘Ra” one week and condemn a murder bid such as this the next with any credibility.
“The attack on Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was just as wrong as unjustified as the murders of 11 people in the La Mon firebombing or the murder of RUC Sergeant Gordon Wilson, the anniversaries of both were marked by events within the last few days. Yet Sinn Fein seek to defend those murders while claiming to be shocked by last night’s events and concerned for the children who witnessed them.
“Attacks on off duty members of the security forces comes straight from the Provo playbook.
“One thinks of George Saunderson, a former UDR man shot 10 times in the back in Erne Primary School in Teemore where he was the principal. Of William Staunton, a magistrate shot as he dropped off his daughters at school. Of Herbert Kernaghan, an off duty UDR man shot as he made delivery to a Co Fermanagh primary school in a murder witnessed by children in the playground. Of James Graham, an off duty UDR man murdered as he arrived at a Derrylin primary school to take children swimming.
“Enough of this rank hypocrisy and supposed concern for children when defending such vile acts!”