Statement by North Antrim MLA Jim Allister:
“The comments of Sinn Fein/IRA leader Mary Lou McDonald this morning should not be spun to make them out to be something which they are not. Her acknowledgment that there was a “clear distinction obviously between combatants and civilian victims” is nothing new for the Republican movement, who from time to time have ‘apologised’ for collateral damage but never resiled from the targeted murder of security personnel, including off duty victims. And, of course, their use of the language of “combatants” is to try and create a false equivalence between lawful forces and their bloodthirsty terrorist gangs.
“Quite apart from the insulting language which Sinn Fein employ to justify their campaign, it is important to note that while Ms McDonald made a distinction between “combatants” and civilians she was clear and emphatic when asked if she believed those whom she classed as “combatants”, who went out to make victims, should be included within the scope of a pension responding, “Yes, I believe they should. I want everyone to be included”.
“So, in reality, there is nothing new here. Sinn Fein still demand equivalence between victim-makers and those they made victims.
“The Sinn Fein leader went on to say that Sinn Fein wanted everyone injured to be eligible, including those who served time in prison, and that failure to do so would be “entirely inappropriate and wrong ”resulting in an approach which would “leave thousands of people behind”.
“Some have suggested that a victims’ pension would only include a small number of victim makers but Ms McDonald’s comments this morning make it clear that Republicans want a scheme which is broad enough to include “thousands” who have gone through our prisons. Such a scheme would be a travesty and calculated insult of all innocent victims.”