Statement by TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister:
“Few things illustrate the moral bankruptcy of Republicanism than its actions around Easter. While the world remembers the sacrifice of Calvary and the resurrection – where the sinless Son of God laid down His life for humanity – Sinn Fein choose to celebrate and glorify those who went out to murder the innocent.
“This is graphically illustrated by the actions of the self styled First Minister for all today who chose to address a commemoration of those thankfully taken out by the SAS at Clonoe in 1992.
“One has only to take a moment to reflect on what East Tyrone IRA did in the area – including the murder of 30 people prior to the SAS ambush – to see how morally repugnant this event was. The would be killers commemorated by Ms O’Neill were returning from an attack on a police station with the most powerful of weapons and were still on “active service” when they met real soldiers. Tellingly, one of the wounded terrorists received assistance at the scene from the security forces – something IRA killers never provided to their innocent victims.
“Today’s event was a reminder of Sinn Féin’s unfitness for government and should again cause Unionists who sustain them in office to reflect on the nature of those they sit with around the Executive table.”