Jim Allister has today written to the Chief Constable following terms:
Dear Chief Constable,
Re Funeral of Jim Scullion
I write to draw your attention to another funeral which appears to have flouted legislation brought in to combat COVID-19.
While the footage of the funeral posted online is carefully shot so as to obscure how many were in attendance and what the approach was to social distancing, it is clear that the number there is well above the 10 permitted.
Given that Republican funerals have repeatedly ignored the regulations I believe it is reasonable to expect that the PSNI would have a presence at such events. Was this the case with Mr Scullion’s funeral and if not why not?
What exactly is the PSNI approach to Republican funerals? There are many who suspect that the police are turning a blind eye and this is causing a crisis of confidence in policing. Furthermore, my office has been contacted by some who have lost loved ones in recent days who have been deeply hurt by the fact that while they have observed the law when saying goodbye to loved ones others have broken the law without consequence.
It is vital that you address this matter urgently.
Yours sincerely,
Jim Allister