Statement by TUV East Antrim Assembly candidate Ruth Wilson:
“Last Summer the UUP pulled out of the Northern Ireland Executive on principle following the IRA murder of Kevin McGuigan. It was claimed by Mr Nesbitt that his party was taking “a principled stand” on the issue.
“One would assume therefore that the UUP’s principles would prevent it from going back into government with Sinn Fein/IRA. You would expect, in fact, that their position would be even more clear cut following the Government’s assessment that the IRA retains weapons, is engaged in organised crime and that its wicked Army Council controls Sinn Fein.
“However, that is clearly not the message from the UUP document launched today. It contains three references to paramilitarism which commit the party to nothing and makes no mention of the controlling influence of the IRA over a party of government. In fact, there is no mention of the IRA at all!
“Mr Nesbitt, they haven’t gone away you know!
“The choice in the upcoming election couldn’t be clearer. Voters can vote for the DUP who remain committed to terrorist inclusive government. Or they can vote for the UUP who clearly don’t have a bottom line on the influence of a still armed IRA on a party of government and would go back in to partnership with them if they believed it would fit their agenda after the election.
“Alternatively Unionists can vote for their TUV candidate knowing that they will remain consistent in their opposition to the IRA’s political wing in the government of Northern Ireland.
“TUV are the authentic voice of opposition. Unlike the UUP we are not wedded to the disastrous Belfast Agreement which has lumbered Northern Ireland with its failed system of government.”