Stormont Snippets

Delivering Accountability

Robinson Got None of his Demands on OTR Review March 2014 Issue 26 just about whether the “The letters make it clear police at that moment in that Lady Hallett will “not time have sufficient need to re-investigate every evidence to make a case or make a fresh prosecution stick because decision about whether a as time goes on forensics recipient of a letter should may change, new evidence or should not have been may come in where a pursued for arrest and prosecution could take prosecution.” Commenting on the ‘on the place so it is absolutely vital run’ whitewash, Jim Allister that nobody is allowed to “Furthermore, it is evident MLA stated: think they can get away that there is a strong desire with it. That’s why I want to protect the “peace “On 26th February Peter all the letters rescinded.” process” and keep its Robinson told us: machinations as hidden as “Letters exchanged between possible because “while the “I want a full judicial a senior NIO official and the reviewer is free to consider inquiry into all of these Lord Chief Justice reveal the circumstances that led matters so we can see who that the review announced to the establishment of the knew, when they knew and by the Prime Minister and scheme, a full examination what they knew. Those are trumpeted by the DUP will of the political decisions and Inside this issue: vital questions to be asked do none of what Mr agreements making up the and answered. I want to Robinson demanded. peace know who the 187 people process is not required!” TUV Meets 2 are that received these “Not only will the 187 Secretary of State letters – if indeed it is only names not be released but “The letters confirm what on OTR Issue 187 people because I Lady Justice Hallett won’t TUV have argued all along – PSNI in ‘Brits Out’ 2 wouldn’t believe anything I even consider every that the review will deliver Parade—Questions hear any longer. I want to Individual case. She will, nothing of what Mr Unanswered know who they are, what rather, “look at a sample of Robinson demanded. The crimes they were believed cases from across the DUP have meekly rolled Reform Public 3 to have committed because scheme”. over and accepted a Accounts don’t forget justice isn’t whitewash.” Committee Arrest Downey Now! PUP not fit to take 3 On the back of the BBC perversion of justice by the Warrant to secure the on Sinn Fein Spotlight programme on the dirty politics of the process. It arrest and extradition of Downey case, Jim Allister is no coincidence that Downey Downey. If these OTR Pro-Tricolour Anna 3 commented: was gifted his letter just two letters are really not worth Lo days after the DUP and Sinn the paper they are written “The BBC Spotlight Fein joined in government: on, as Mr Robinson has programme underscores the such payoff to the IRA was part foolishly claimed, then, let’s Allister takes a 4 extent to which the criminal of the consummation of the see Downey pursued on the stand for the Union justice system has been deal. The Johnston and Eames basis of the forensic Flag corrupted by the immoral families and their quest for evidence which exists. This demands of “the peace justice, like other innocent is a litmus test of whether Shocking Fall in 4 process”. victims, were callously cast to the perversion of justice, Hospital Beds the side. Establishing Sinn which underpins the Under DUP Watch “The failure to pursue Fein/DUP rule was the establishment of Sinn Fein/ Downey, despite his overriding priority. DUP rule, has been in any fingerprint link to the way tempered by the Johnston & Eames murders, “The fingerprint evidence still exposure of the is not just a failure of exists. So, I am now calling for machinations of the policing, but a blatant an immediate European Arrest Downey case.” TUV Meets Secretary of State on OTR Issue

A delegation from Traditional resignation. 802 pages identified at page Unionist Voice (party leader 3 of the Downey judgement Jim Allister, party vice-chair “The Secretary of State was as ‘two files of disclosed Richard Cairns and press unable to say that the names of materials in relation to the officer Samuel Morrison) met those who received the letters relevant negotiations in the the Secretary of State on the and the crimes which they were NI peace process’, which as material disclosed by the "Could you imagine the OTR scandal. suspected of being involved in muscles Jim Allister would will be published. Indeed, she Crown in a criminal trial can flex had he the backup of Commenting after the flagged up human rights now be published by HMG. either the DUP or Sinn meeting TUV Leader Jim Allis- considerations which could – Fein? Punching well above ter said: and as time will prove will – “When pressed about his weight? " prevent the names being pub- suggestions that HM Eamonn Mallie “We came to the meeting lished. Government had provided Political Commentator with a series of questions compensation to OTRs the 4th February 2014 about the On the Runs issue “She also made it clear that she Secretary of State denied and left with precious few of had no intention of contacting that this had taken place. them answered. It is evident those who have received letters that the Northern Ireland in order to rescind them – “TUV also used the meeting Office, like the DUP, intends another matter over which the to press the Secretary of to hide behind the judge led First Minister said he would State on the future of Praxis review in order to avoid resign. at Hillsborough Castle. We giving answers before the made it very clear to her election. “The Secretary of State also hid that we believed the charity behind the judge led review should be allowed to stay “"The DUP can spin all it “It was clear, however, that when I challenged her to and that the NIO’s handling wants but anybody with an Peter Robinson did not get publish the Government papers of the issue to date has iota of intelligence knows what he demanded as disclosed to court in the been disastrous.” the OTR scheme hasn't prerequisites to prevent his Downey case, in particular the been binned.” PSNI Explanation of Participation in Brits Out Parade leaves Unanswered Questions Suzanne Breen Political Journalist Following the PSNI’s given that those displaying fully investigate, before 2nd March 2014 participation in the New the banners live in a country accepting the invitation. So, York St. Patrick’s day parade, where the native American did the PSNI know of these where they walked behind a population was driven from guidelines before partici- banner saying ‘England get their land by, among others, pating?” out of Ireland’, Jim Allister Irish American immigrants. said: Concluding, Jim Allister said: “I have today received a “I know from contacts to my reply from Temporary “Temporary Deputy Chief “Thinking journalists and office that many people Deputy Chief Constable Constable Finley informs me Jim Allister QC who had found the PSNI participation Alistair Finley which does that the decision to take clearly read the Downey in an event which peddled nothing to allay my part in the parade was taken judgment unlike many of this racist and xenophobic concerns. following consultation with his colleagues” message deeply offensive. the NIO, the Department of This is hardly surprising “I have again written to the Justice, the Policing Board Eamonn Mallie given that the “Brits Out” police asking if the PSNI was and the Department of Political Commentator mantra was championed by aware, and, if not, why 2nd March 2014 Foreign Affairs. the IRA which murdered so not, of the official guidelines many gallant officers in governing participation in “Why was the PSNI Northern Ireland. this parade, before consulting a department of accepting the invitation. If a foreign government on “Indeed many Unionists will they did not have whether it should accept an see the banners as an attack knowledge, they certainly invitation. on their right to live in had the means of Northern Ireland as they knowledge, and as much “Is the PSNI now open to more than suggest that the opportunity as I had to be participate in an Orange island of Ireland is only for acquainted with the said parade?” those who see themselves guidelines. The PSNI had a as Irish – an ironic sentiment due diligence obligation to Call to reform Public Accounts Committee

Commenting on his attempt outside the Executive par- to bring accountability to ties. “The immediate response of Stormont, Jim Allister said: Sinn Fein was outright “Across the world it is rejection – old habits of “At this week’s meeting of established practice that non-toleration of opposition the Procedures Committee PACs, because of their key die hard! Some other parties in Stormont I proposed that scrutiny role in regard to suggested they would wish Standing Orders be government action, are to take the proposal back to amended to provide that chaired by someone from their own groups and thus the Chair of the Public the Opposition. Of course, the matter stands adjourned Accounts Committee must the perverse system in to a future meeting. be held by an MLA from Stormont does not even Robinson’s demands not outside any of the parties allow an Opposition and the “It will be interesting to see met: NO rescinding of included in the executive. At PAC chair comes from one the response, particularly letters; NO public inquiry; the moment Sinn Fein chair of the main parties of from those who profess a NO names being published it and there isn’t even a government. As one small belief in normalising single member on it from step towards normality, Stormont.”

Hutchinson Interview Show PUP Not Fit to Take On Sinn Fein

Commenting on the Billy “conflict” and “war” was “process” to deal with the Hutchinson’s assertion that identical to the language of past. More Sinn Fein type his participation in UVF Sinn Fein/IRA. speak. murder prevented a , Jim Allister MLA “Today he claimed “Anyone who thought that stated: “remorse” for what he did, the PUP might be a credible but refused to even say force to take the political “Billy Hutchinson’s sorry for the murders he battle to Republicans will comments in the News committed. More than that, now, if they hadn’t before Letter and on the Nolan while he rowed back from given their previous support Jim Allister MLA marked Show – where instead of his suggestion that the for a designated days policy the European Day for repairing the damage he people he murdered were in when it came to the flying of Victims of Terrorism at added to it – showed that he some way linked to the IRA the Union Flag, have cause to Stormont. and his party are in no there was no apology to stop and think. Are position to take the battle to their families for his Republicans best faced down Sinn Fein. comments in last week’s by those who adopt the News Letter. Instead Mr Provo lingo?” “His language about a Hutchinson merely talked “hierarchy of victims”, the about the need for a Not just anti-Union flag but Pro-Tricolour Lo!

Alliance Party MLA and generous block grant. How “anti-colonial”! European Candidate, Anna exactly do Alliance believe Lo, let the cat out of the bag that we would be “better off Concluding, Jim Allister said: when she professed her economically” as part of the desire to see a united bankrupt Republic of “The removal of the Union Ireland. TUV leader Jim Ireland? Flag from Belfast City Hall Allister responded: showed something of “Ms Lo says she believes Alliance’s true colours. Now “Anna Lo’s public support that for a “corner of Ireland Anna Lo has backed Irish unity – revealing that the for a united Ireland shatters to be part of the United Jim Allister MLA ensured Tricolour are more her the myth that Alliance are Kingdom … is very artificial”, that a Euro-Sceptic Voice agnostic on the Union. showing no recognition of colours. was heard in relation to

the fact that this is only the the UKs place within the “You know where you stand “Her comments also expose case because the majority of EU. her economic illiteracy given the people who live here with TUV. Can the same be that Northern Ireland is wish to be part of the UK. said for other parties such as dependent on being part of But then, of course, she Alliance? I think not.” the UK to obtain the makes it clear that she is Allister takes a stand for the Union Flag During the debate on the “It is a bit like the addressed in this Bill, it tearing down of the flag Local Government Bill, Jim definition of a victim: will not be addressed. and wish to see the flag Allister MLA seized the once it is through, it is, flown on political opportunity to take a stand essentially, too late to do “That is the challenge and buildings, such as council for the Union Flag: anything about it. the opportunity. I think chambers, in every part of Therefore, I say to the that the DUP needs to the United Kingdom, it “We have had an anxiety lead party of unionism consider whether or not it will be too late once this from some, which is a bit that it has to pick up the feels strongly enough Bill passes, having fought reminiscent of the on-the- challenge and consider about this issue to make and lost a battle. So there runs saga, to point to the the fact that it will not be sure that the Local is an opportunity and a Ulster Unionists and say, “It enough to leave here Government Bill that challenge to weigh up and all happened on your tonight saying, “We tried, eventually passes in the decide. Is the lead party of watch: it is your problem” but the perversion of the House addresses it. Taking unionism prepared to take etc. In one sense, that is petition of concern that stand is in your gift. I a stand of that strength fair enough, but the lead defeated us. We now respectfully say to you on this issue? That is how party of unionism today is have a Bill, and we will that you should think many people in the the Democratic Unionist just have to live with it.” about exercising that, community who hoped, Party. It, above all, is That is not how it has to because if the Bill goes and believed the promis- required to deliver a be. If it really goes to the through as is, we are not es, that the flag etc would solution to the crisis core of what the primary going to see the change, be restored will judge the created by the tearing unionist party in the the reversal, the issue. I do not see any down of the flag from Province would wish to restoration or the other opportunities to do Belfast City Hall. defend, that party has the fulfilment of the promise that but through applying option, as others have that the flag would fly the leverage and the “I suggest that this, the exercised in respect of again on City Hall. pressure that this Bill Local Government Bill, is other Bills, of stalling this “If we are as exercised as presents the opportunity one of the last Bill until the issue is we say we are about the of doing.” opportunities to do addressed. If it is not anything about it.

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Shocking Fall in Hospital beds on DUP Watch Dates for your diary

TUV Leader Jim Allister hundreds of hospital beds “The Health Minister is Membership Conference MLA uncovered through and then be surprised skilled in passing the buck Assembly questions the when A & Es are choked on these issues but figures Thursday 3rd April, 8pm, extent of the decrease in with trolley waits. Take do not lie. He has presided Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast hospital beds throughout Belfast Trust: in just 5 years over a department which

Northern Ireland. the numbers of available has cut the most basic of Commenting Jim Allister beds have been slashed by medical facilities from our Ballymena ‘Big Breakfast’ said: nearly 20% from 2700 to hospitals. 2200. Saturday 5th April, 9.30am- “As several A & E “The Executive has failed 12pm—Ahoghill Community departments struggle with “Across Northern Ireland to deliver in what most Centre, £5 overload, a key component the number of hospital people would regard as of the problem is that the beds has fallen by over one of their top priorities absence of admission beds 16% since 2009. – maintaining the health is causing logjam in A & Es. service. East Antrim Musical Evening “In the Northern Trust the Saturday 5th April, 7.45pm, “This is something which fall is almost 19% while in “TUV believes the Health Victoria Orange Hall, Larne, the Minister seeks to the Southern it is over 20%. Service is a top priority, dodge, but it is a policy and under Poots it has £5 which he has carried on Concluding, Jim Allister gone from crisis to crisis.” and continues to said: implement. You can’t cull