Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“There had been an expectation that the report into paramilitary activity would be published this week but there is still no sign of it – at least as far as the public are concerned. It is, however, obvious that the ground work is being laid for a resumption of business as usual. The Sinn Fein U-turn on my Special Advisers Bill – where they moved from supporting it in the DFP committee one week to voting it down in the Assembly chamber the next – and Peter Robinson’s easy ride when questioned about NAMA on Wednesday suggest that the DUP and Sinn Fein/IRA have already resumed their cosy relationship.
“Jonathan Powell’s comments about legalising the IRA and Loyalist terror groups was another indication that preparations were being made for telling us that having the IRA is actually quite a good thing.
“It is also interesting to note the change in langue from the DUP. in August Nigel Dodds was talking about excluding Sinn Fein/IRA from the executive as there was “sufficient basis on what the chief constable is saying about IRA members being involved in violence and murder and that IRA organisation exists”. Similarly Peter Robinson said “republicans cannot be in the executive in circumstances where this murder was the work of the Provisional IRA” on 21st August. In more recent days Arleen Foster has said the DUP will end their farcical in-out policy when it comes to the executive if the report shows “substantial progress” – whatever that means. It seems like the latest IRA murder, like so many before it, will be swept under the carpet for the sake of the “process”.
“The report should be published without delay and there should be no more window dressing in preparation for its contents. Everyone knows the DUP are bursting to get back to business as usual with Sinn Fein/IRA and that Republicans are expecting a payback for playing ball at the NAMA inquiry and in killing off my SpAd Bill. Any more delay will only serve to increase the widespread scepticism in the public about politics.”