“part of a package of sweeteners from the Government to get terrorists to abandon criminality..”

We’ll find out later in the week whether or not Alan Murray’s prediction is correct – “NIO minister David Hanson is expected to announce employment legislation changes on Wednesday which will prevent employers from lawfully refusing to consider convicted paramilitaries for jobs on security grounds” – although it doesn’t sound as if those criminal records would actually be wiped.. just ignored. And whilst Alan Murray links it directly to other events, and David Hanson has today been making familiar noises about that issue, it’s worth recalling the Secretary of State for Wales etc’s previous comments on the past.From the Sunday Life article

NIO minister David Hanson is expected to announce employment legislation changes on Wednesday which will prevent employers from lawfully refusing to consider convicted paramilitaries for jobs on security grounds.

It is expected the changes will apply to the public and private sectors – but not be the security sector.

Hanson’s move is designed to assist loyalist paramilitaries in particular, part of a package of sweeteners from the Government to get terrorists to abandon criminality.

Hanson’s announcement will come just days before the UVF is expected to announce its intention to cease all paramilitary activities.

Pete Baker