Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“With speculation growing that the executive parties are set to agree a deal on “the past” it’s worth revisiting what the famous graduated response statement of 3rd July said on the issue:
“The DUP and UUP will end their participation in the now fruitless Leaders talks. With OTR enquiries underway following the scandal of comfort letters being provided to republican terrorists both parties have already indicated that the issue of the past cannot be resolved at this time.”
“What has changed on the OTR letters since July?
“Have we seen a raft of Republicans arrested because their letters have been, as Peter Robinson demanded, rescinded?
“Have the names of those who received them been released?
“Do we know what crimes they were suspected of committing?
“Of course the truth is that nothing has changed since July apart from the attitude of the Unionist parties.”