TUV leader Jim Allister said:
“I welcome Jon Burrows’ forthright and necessary intervention regarding the Policing Board’s handling of the now-discredited allegations made by “Sean” against the PSNI’s Tactical Support Group.
“Mr Burrows has spoken for many who have been left voiceless throughout this manufactured saga. The Policing Board, by way of contrast, has shown itself to be unfit for purpose.
“The Board’s handling of this matter has been marked by inaction and a disturbing lack of curiosity. At a time when the reputations of serving officers were being publicly traduced, the body charged with holding the police to account simply looked the other way. The Justice Minister was no better. It is a matter of deep concern that it was left to former officers, not those in oversight roles, to defend their colleagues and expose the truth.
“While “Sean” has now admitted to fabricating his claims, and while the Chief Constable has confirmed there was no sectarianism within the unit, the damage was done — and the silence from key voices on the Board was deafening. That was a dereliction of duty.
“Only one elected representative – Alan Chambers – challenged the narrative we all now know to be false publicly on the Board. Others – particularly elected representatives from larger parties – must ask themselves why they remained silent while police officers were smeared.
“The Policing Board must be held to account for its role in allowing a false narrative to gain traction, unchecked and unchallenged. Jon Burrows has provided a vital public service in demanding answers which should have been sought by the Board and indeed Minister Long.”