Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Republic of Ireland Sinn Fein health spokesman David Cullinane’s call for politicians who set health guidelines to resign when they breach them is breathtakingly hypocritical given the brazen flouting of health guidelines at the Storey funeral, an event attended by elected Sinn Fein figures from both sides of the border.
“There will be no shortage of people to highlight the double standards of Sinn Fein in light of these comments but will the parties round the Executive table do more? When the issue was debated at Stormont the Assembly merely expressed disappointment. There wasn’t a rebuke for Sinn Fein never mind a call for resignations and no one had the courage to say they could no longer remain in partnership with Sinn Fein/IRA. Fundamentally the challenge facing all those who believe we should all be equal under the law and equally subject to the law boils down to a simple question – how can you remain in office with a party which so obviously believes it is exempt from the law which applies to everyone else?
“Northern Ireland has been reminded by Mr Cullinane that when it comes to his party it is a case of do as we say not as we do. Will any of the parties which share power with Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland do anything more than tweet and issue press releases about it? Past form suggests they won’t and that is the primary reason why Republicans believe they can do as they please.”