After an initiative by David Ford within the Preparation for Government Committee, all parties have agreed that all the ‘side letters’ issued to each of the parties should be put in the public domain. That, if the British government grants it, should make very interesting reading!!
The committee agreed that all letters from St Andrews should be produced. This would, if it happened, reveal any side deals in Scotland. Alliance leader David Ford, whose party put forward the proposal, claimed a victory for openness � though it remains to be seen how government reacts.
He said: “In the Preparation for Government Committee I asked the other parties to support my request to government to make public all correspondence relating to the St Andrews deal. This request was unanimously accepted. Transparency and openness are the keys to political progress.
“We are trying to get the full story surrounding the Government’s promises to various parties. These appear to cover a raft of issues, some hinted at and others undisclosed. This will ensure that there is complete openness in the process, for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.”
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty