Responding to comments from Jonathan Bell Ards TUV councillor Terry Williams said:

“Jonathan Bell is denying reality. Hillsborough was an atrocious deal for the Unionist people. Even some of points which he cites are factually inaccurate or laughable.

“It is inaccurate to claim that the DUP have obtained a veto which means Sinn Fein will “never” take the post of Justice Minister. The reality is that the co-equal veto held by both the DUP and Sinn Fein/IRA – one which ensures that no Unionist need apply – runs out in 2012.

“Mr Bell goes on to talk about money obtained for former police officers. But there is no mention in his statement of the Full Time Reserve. Why? Didn’t Jeffrey Donaldson say back in November that the FTR would have to be retained in order for Policing and Justice to be devolved “because not only will the DUP not agree to it but the public confidence will not be there to make it happen. That is absolutely clear”? In his words it categorically was a ‘deal-breaker’. So what happened that “deal-breaker” Mr Bell?

“As for his claim that DUP secured a triple lock – that is all well and good as long as one doesn’t throw away the keys! It isn’t much use then!”