Archives For richard

Another disingenuous Residential Home Consultation

Admin —  August 22, 2013

Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-

“A consultation on the how, not the why, of residential care home closures will not satisfactorily or fairly address the issues. The pre-determined reiteration that at least 50% of homes will close, whatever the merits or local needs, further suggests this latest consultation is another farce.

“A consultation supposedly to set criteria for closures, in circumstances where the Minister maintains a ban on new admissions, means homes so starved of residents are easy pickings. In the Northern Trust area there are no new admissions, so how can these homes defend themselves?

“It is only by lifting the embargo on new admissions that a fair and genuine consultation exercise can be conducted. Otherwise, it will continue to be closure by stealth. Little wonder some residents have expressed a renewed sense of betrayal.”

In Health, Newsroom ,
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What is OFMdFM Hiding on Travel Overseas?

Admin —  August 21, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“As part of my campaign to bring greater transparency to the spending of public money I have tabled a series of questions to OFMdFM about overseas travel. Months later the following questions remain unanswered:

Question tabled on 28/09/2011 To ask the First and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the total cost of their recent trip to the USA; and (ii) who accompanied them on their visit.

Question tabled 21/03/2012 To ask the First and deputy First Minister how much has been paid to photographers, or other service providers, for the provision of photographic services to the Executive for work outside Northern Ireland since May 2007. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, NI Politics , ,
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TUV Welcomes DUP Support for Charter for Innocent Victims and Challenges DUP on ‘Combatants’ and ‘Former Political Prisoners’

Admin —  August 20, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“I welcome today’s news that the DUP are backing the Charter for Innocent Victims of Terrorism – albeit a full four months after other Unionists did.

“When the Charter was launched I commented:

“How can Mr Donaldson and others in the DUP claim that the Centre will contain a balanced and truthful account of the Troubles when innocent victims of Republican violence are united in their opposition to the plan and will have nothing to do with it?

“Understandably the Charter makes it clear that a project which will “provide the means for terrorists to return to the Maze as “victims”, educationalists and quite possibly tour guides – self-cleansing them of their heinous crimes” is totally unacceptable to innocent victims.

“This isn’t the claim of TUV or the political opponents of the DUP but rather the innocent victims of Republican terrorism. Continue Reading…

In Justice, Newsroom, Terrorism, Victims
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DSD to Consider Basis for Formal Disciplinary Action Against McCasuland’s SpAd

Admin —  August 19, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“Immediately after the Spotlight investigation into the DUP’s dealings with Red Sky and Turkington’s I wrote to the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Dr Malcolm McKibbin. I requested that he investigate if Nelson McCausland’s Special Adviser, Stephen Brimstone, had breached sections 5 and 6 of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. The relevant sections read: Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, NI Politics , ,
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TUV welcomes Maze u-turn

Admin —  August 15, 2013

Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-

“What a night – victory over Russia and victory on the Maze!

“Congratulations to all who campaigned so hard against the Provo Project at the Maze, particularly innocent victims. Every signature on our petition helped force the DUP into a monumental climb down. We must ensure there is no backsliding on the issue!

“Despite all the diversionary talk from Peter Robinson about the changing stance of others, his Maze u-turn is seismic, but none the less welcome for that. Continue Reading…

In Featured Story, Newsroom, Terrorism, Victims
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Sinn Fein Challenged on Bombs and Children

Admin —  August 13, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“The attack on Woodbourne Police station was wrong and has been rightly condemned. However, when one listens to Sinn Fein representatives pontificate about this their hypocrisy really is nauseating.

“Sue Ramsey attacked those behind the bombing as “irresponsible” on the BBC’s TalkBack programme and highlighted the fact that children had picked up the bomb. She then told listeners that the difference between this attack and the type of attacks carried out by the Provisionals was the lack of popular support.

“One assumes, therefore, that Sinn Fein continue to believe there was nothing wrong with planting bombs in the 1970s and at any time when their IRA did it.

“In 1973 9 year old Gordon Gallagher died when he triggered an IRA bomb in Londonderry. Last year the boy’s parents called on co-First Minister McGuinness to tell police who was involved.

“Martin McGuiness was, by his own admission, second in command in the IRA at the time of Gordon’s death.

“In February 2012 I tabled a written question to the Office of the First and deputy First Minister asking whether the Department – which has responsibility for victims’ issues – had given all possible help to the Gallagher family in their humanitarian quest to identify the murderer of their 9 year old son. Continue Reading…

In Justice, Newsroom, Terrorism, Victims
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Sorry Mr Spence, We Don’t Want a Police State

Admin —  August 12, 2013

Responding to comments by the chairman of the Police Federation Terry Spence TUV leader Jim Allister said:

“Mr Spence’s comments calling for a suspension of all “contentious parading” is completely unacceptable. For a start, how does Terry Spence define contentious? Remember that the Apprentice Boys parade in Castledurg last Saturday was not “contentious” until Sinn Fein/IRA decided to make it so. Then, following a visit by co-First Minister McGuinness, they suddenly decided it wasn’t “contentious” any more and Republicans called off their protest in a cynical attempt to deflect attention from the celebration of terror they were organising for the next day. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, Parades, Policing and Security ,
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Allister Lodges Official Complaint with Assembly Commissioner Against Kelly

Admin —  August 12, 2013

Below is a letter sent this morning to the Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

Mr Douglas Bain
Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards
Room 283
Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3XX

12th August 2013

Dear Mr Bain,

I write to make a formal complaint against Gerry Kelly MLA following his attendance at a parade and a speech he delivered at the event on Sunday 11th August in Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

The Code of Conduct states that: “Members have a duty to uphold the law and to act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in them” and “Members will act in a way that is conducive to promoting good relations by providing a positive example for the wider community to follow by acting justly and promoting a culture of respect for the law.” The Parades Commission determination in relation to the Castlederg parade clearly stated that no paramilitary-style clothing was to be worn at any time during the parade and that there were to be no depictions of weaponry. Both of these conditions were, as you can see from the enclosed photographs, breached. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, Terrorism ,
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The unchanging and true colours of Sinn Fein displayed over Castlederg

Admin —  August 9, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

Martin McGuinness’ description of Sunday’s coat-trailing glorification of the murder, planned for Castlederg, as “an act of remembrance” is obscene.

“Acts of remembrance” are sacred occasions when those who fought honourably and courageously for their county are remembered with dignity; Sinn Fein’s Castlederg event is a celebration of the wicked terror of the IRA and exaltation of the death and destruction they brought to their innocent victims. There is no equivalence between the courage and sacrifice of the soldier who goes to war for his country and the bloodthirsty terrorist who skulks around in the dark waiting to shoot a policeman or a civilian in the back, or who loads up a car with explosives to blow the heart out of a town. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, Terrorism, Victims
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TUV Leader Welcomes Inquest into Kingsmill

Admin —  August 7, 2013

Statement by Jim Allister MLA:

“The Kingsmill massacre was one of the most horrific incidents in the Troubles. Few incidents illustrated the sectarian nature of the IRA’s murder campaign as graphically.

“Today’s announcement is long overdue and will be welcomed by the families who are to be commended for their campaign for truth.

“The victims’ families are entitled to know what happened at Kingsmill and I hope this announcement will be a step in that direction.”

In Justice, Newsroom, Terrorism ,
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