Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Recent events, suggesting last minute reprieve from catastrophic rollover on Irish Language demands, have dented Unionist morale and bred distrust. Secrecy and denials, which are contradicted by sequencing which had the appearance of a Sinn Fein/DUP deal, have only added to the unease.
“I am in no doubt about Sinn Fein’s capacity for mendacity and its vested interest in undermining unionism, nor am I ignorant of the fact that there are journalists sympathetic to their agenda. However, we need total clarity and transparency from the DUP.
“Weekend commentary, particularly the claim that the DUP emailed Sinn Fein the document they proclaimed as the basis for a deal, requires a DUP response as this narrative is wholly incompatible with the DUP’s public position. If there is an email ascribing ownership of the document to the DUP, then those who make this claim should publish it.
“If the DUP disputes the Mallie/Rowan contentions, then, let them publish minutes/emails which must exist to counter that narrative, if the DUP was indeed consistent in rejecting an Irish Language Act.
“Moreover, it is time we heard from the DUP on whether they were (are) willing to concede an Irish Language Commissioner, Irish as an official language in NI, Irish in our courts, Irish in the Assembly, an Irish translation hub in the Civil Service, the possibility of a Sinn Fein Justice Minister in just 4 years time, and meeting Sinn Fein’s demand for release of funding for ‘legacy inquests’.
“Unequivocal answers are now imperative. It is a question of trust. Truth must trump every other consideration.”