Statement by TUV spokesman David Vance:

“Why is policing and justice such a central Republican demand? Well, Sinn Fein/IRA make it very clear.

“In their 2005 manifesto they stated:

“Our strategy is for a new all-Ireland policing and justice system. That cannot be achieved without the transfer of policing and justice powers away from London, into an Executive and Assembly and the all-Ireland institutions.”

““When Republican Sean Hughes had his assets frozen according to due process in pursuit of an anti-money laundering operation his political ally Minister Murphy lauded him and Minister Gildernew declared: “It strengthens the need to have devolution of policing and justice as quickly as possible.  We need decisions, we need accountability, and we need decisions to be taken by a local minister.”

“Whatever way it is dressed up and whatever way the justice minister operates the devolution of these vitally important powers will not, as some foolishly claim, bring us back to the days of Carson. Rather, it will represent yet another destructive advance of the Republican agenda."