Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
“Having already written to the Chief Constable about the police handling of Gerry Adams’ concealment of his brother’s confession and expressed the view that “the approach to date smacks as something driven more by political considerations than law enforcement considerations”, I trust that the Attorney General’s review will be exhaustive and satisfactory.
“It is vital that this is not just an exercise in reviewing the PPS decision of 2010, but must also be informed by subsequent developments, including the 2013 confirmation under oath by Gerry Adams that he did withhold from the police for several years information on his brother’s confession.
“Section 5 of The Criminal Law NI Act 1967 is quite explicit:-
“…. where a person has committed a relevant offence, it shall be the duty of every other person, who knows or believes –
(a) that the offence … has been committed; and
(b) that he has information which is likely to secure, or be of material assistance in securing, the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of any person for that offence;
to give that information, within a reasonable time, to a constable…”
“How either the PSNI or the PPS could reach the conclusion that Gerry Adams in the circumstances should not be prosecuted is beyond comprehension.
“The test for a prosecution is reasonable prospect of conviction and the bringing of the prosecution being in the public interest. Did someone somewhere for all the wrong reasons decide it was not in the public interest to discomfort Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein by prosecuting him. That is the suspicion which attaches to this case. It must be rectified.
“This matter must not be whitewashed any more.”
