Responding to the Secretary of State’s urgings for a swift move to devolve policing and justice immediately the European election is over, Traditional Unionist Leader Jim Allister MEP said the gameplan was clear: if the DUP could hoodwink the electorate it would be full steam ahead with meeting this prime demand of Sinn Fein. “This was the deal done last November”,  said Mr Allister, “when the DUP, as the price of clinging to office, shamelessly traded in ‘several political lifetimes’ for just a few months till policing and justice would pass to an Assembly and Executive where IRA/Sinn Fein holds sway.”

“In this election, not only am I the only candidate opposed to terrorists in government, but I am also the only candidate opposed to IRA/Sinn Fein getting anywhere near policing and justice. Sinn Fein is the party of those who murdered policemen and judges, in my book policing and judges should never be devolved to institutions in which they hold sway. Nor should it become a north/south issue, as it would once devolved.

The Secretary of State’s comments are a timely reminder to Unionist voters that I am their insurance policy against such runaway concessions to Sinn Fein. If only I could be defeated the DUP will rush to meet Sinn Fein’s demand in the autumn. However, victory for TUV will spike the Shinners and keep their bloodstained hands off policing and justice.”