Traditional Unionist Voice chairman Ivor McConnell said:

 “The call by Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon for the Colombia Three to be returned to South American is a timely reminder of Sinn Fein/IRA’s continuing links to international terrorism.

 “It is telling that Mr Santos refused to say anything about Caitriona Ruane. What an obscenity that yesterday’s deal on policing and justice should be the product of a shoddy deal between Ruane’s party and the DUP!

 “While the DUP would have us believe that their coalition partners in the Republican movement have abandoned terrorism, Mr Santos tells a different tale. Following help from the Education Minister’s friends FARC have, according to the Vice President, been able to employ missiles which they previously didn’t have the expertise to produce. Niall Connolly, James Monaghan and Martin McCauley have, the Vice President says, “taught FARC new bombing technology that we have never before seen” and thousands of innocent Colombians have died as a result.

 “While the IRA may have called a tactical pause to their full-scale terrorist campaign in Northern Ireland it would appear that the streets of South America run red as a result of IRA bomb making experience.

 “I wholeheartedly back the Vice President’s call for the Colombia Three to be returned to South America so that they can serve the 17 years to which thy were sentenced. It is outrageous that Northern Ireland should be governed by a party linked to such bloodshed and mayhem. How can anyone strike a deal on “justice” with Sinn Fein/IRA knowing that this is taking place?”