Responding to remarks by the DUP’s Simon Hamilton on the devolution of policing and justice TUV spokesperson David Vance said:
 
“Simon Hamilton’s remarks may convince the party faithful in South Belfast DUP but they will cut little ice with ordinary Unionists.
 
“His fine sounding words about the supposed benefits of local power in local hands ignore the reality that some of those locally elected people are members of the IRA’s political wing.
 
“Every piece of Justice legislation to emanate from Stormont post-devolution will bear the stamp “Made in a Terrorist Inclusive Executive”.
 
“That is hardly an achievement to boast about! Think of it – the organisation which butchered policemen and judges now having an input into how these matters are administered!
 
“Simon Hamilton’s attempt to liken the devolution of policing and justice to the Stormont of today to the situation pre-1972 would be laughable were the issues involved not so serious.
 
“Carson and his generation of Unionists fought to keep Northern Ireland out of the influence of militant Republicans. Simon Hamilton and the DUP have agreed a deal which will see Sinn Fein/IRA input into justice policy.
 
“Exactly how many convicted IRA terrorists sat in the government of Northern Ireland pre-1972?
“Simon Hamilton has sullied the name of former generations of Unionist leaders with his foolish comments which bare no relation to historical fact or political reality.
 
“As for his claim that the last three years have changed Northern Ireland for the better I can only assume that he has never spoken to the parents of a primary school child or to any of the thousands of people who have lost their jobs as a result of the economic downturn.
 
“Going on their record so far on the issues already devolved no one is going to look at a Justice Ministry headed by a stooge Minister from the Alliance Party and see it as something to be envied!”