a real issue for Assembly members about the PUP’s links to the UVF
While unveiling a memorial to former Secretary of State Mo Mowlam at Stormont today [the "Internal House-keeping" Park? - Ed], current Secretary of State for Wales and Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, contrasted his view of the activities of the UVF with those of the PIRA – “The UVF have not ended their paramilitary campaign, they are still involved in criminality in a big way and all of those things are things which the IRA have promised to deliver on and is delivering on”[subs]. Interestingly he appears to be arguing that, in his accepting of that contrast, he believes that SF has a stronger claim to a seat in an Executive than a party aligning itself with the UVF-linked PUP [see below]. Apparently forgetting that, earlier this year, he appointed the Chair of the PUP, Dawn Purvis, to the Policing Board.From the Irish Times breaking news -
“The UVF have not ended their paramilitary campaign, they are still involved in criminality in a big way and all of those things are things which the IRA have promised to deliver on and is delivering on,” he said.
Mr Hain’s comments come as the row over the Ulster Unionist Party’s decision to admit Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine into their Assembly Group at Stormont intensifies.
As he attended the opening of a children’s park at Stormont in memory of Mo Mowlam, Mr Hain said he understood there was a real issue for Assembly members about the PUP’s links to the UVF.
“Therefore Sinn Féin are in a much stronger position to claim a seat in a power-sharing Executive since they have decommissioned, they have ended their paramilitary campaign, and according to the Independent Monitoring Commission they are driving criminality out of their ranks.
“Now that is a big, big advance compared with where the UVF are. The UVF ought to catch up quickly,” the Northern Ireland secretary said.
Update Press Asociation report here [no subs necessary]
Slightly off topic
Edited link – moderator
but the DUP’s Norah Beare seems like a good skin. Maybe, with the UUP in the trash can of history, things might move forward. Ganging up on David Ervine seems just like political point scoring. He got elected; let him hook up with whoever wil have him. Maybe Hain has his own stupid agenda here.
Since the UVF have stated that their discussions on the future direction of their organisation is on hold pending the outcome of the forthcoming negotiations (i.e until after 24th November), does this mean effectively that the UUP are now negotiating with guns under the table?
Pete,
Hain’s hypocrisy excels even that of Saint Mo. This is a Government hellbent on appeasing terrorists of every hue.
Taigs-
A splendid irony in the reports that Paul Berry asked why there was only ugly women in Sinn Fein I thought. The words “why did he care?” spring to mind.
Maybe he prefers the “Little Britain” look
Off topic but from the above…
Pete, your link to the NIO about Mo led me to see that Charles & Camilla met Michelle Gildernew in Fivemiletown today! Can this be true? SF MP/MLA meeting and greeting the royal family? In the occupied 6 counties? Shome mishtake shurely…
“A splendid irony in the reports that Paul Berry asked why there was only ugly women in Sinn Fein I thought.”
Coming from that munter???? Another example of Unionist hypocrisy tee hee hee!
Thanks esmerelda.
I had missed that.
Swings and roundabouts @ Stormont again…
I gave Hain the prefix “Horrific” and now I’m seriously considering changing it to “Hypocrite”. “Delusional” would also be appropriate if he believes the IRA and their nom de guerre Sinn Fein are fit for government…
Concerned Loyalist, you’re a supporter of a gang of drug-dealing thugs who murder civilians. What on earth are you doing talking about who is fit for government ?
Concerned Loyalist: “I gave Hain the prefix “Horrific” and now I’m seriously considering changing it to “Hypocrite”. “Delusional” would also be appropriate if he believes the IRA and their nom de guerre Sinn Fein are fit for government… ”
Concerned Loyalist, on another thread: “but I believe in the UDA brigade staff and am sure the UVF are in the same process. I am willing to give them that time, so why don’t you? ”
And you rationalize the obvious disparity between these two comments precisely *HOW*, CL?
Glass houses and all that…
D-C,
I said in that same post that I always try to see the best in people. I have tried this with the Provo RAfia but I can’t see anything through the fog of lies, deception, gun-running, kneecappings, spying, extortion, drug-dealing and all-round criminality!
CL: “I said in that same post that I always try to see the best in people. I have tried this with the Provo RAfia but I can’t see anything through the fog of lies, deception, gun-running, kneecappings, spying, extortion, drug-dealing and all-round criminality! ”
Per the IMC, you’re wrong, by why let fact and analysis get in the way, eh?
It boils down to you believe “your” paramilitaries are nicer than “their” paramilitaries. It becomes obvious when you look at the actual statistics, as the Loyalist / Unionist paramilitaries are performing the bull’s share of the criminality, currently, and yet you believe they’re on the mend, whilst PIRA, whom even Big Ian acknowledges their ability to “turn in on and off” have been largely silent, and yet you attribute a laundry-list of misdeeds.
Bad case of “themmuns” there, CL… you might wanna get that checked out.