Statement by Lisburn TUV Alderman Cecil Calvert:

“Once again the DUP have betrayed the people of Ulster. Sinn Fein/IRA went into the Hillsborough talks demanding a date for the devolution of policing and justice. Because of the weakness of the DUP they achieved that aim. And what happened to the 14 strongmen in the DUP who just previously had opposed the deal? They rolled over in the face of Sinn Fein/IRA threats.

“Additionally, as a result of the Hillsborough Agreement Republicans have achieved:
1. A veto in the executive on every piece of justice legislation and every funding allocation to the department;
2. A working group to ensure progress on enhancing the Irish language;
3. Work on the case for additional North/South bodies and areas of co-operation within the North South Ministerial Council;
4. Work on the establishment of a North/South Parliamentary FDorum;
5. Work on the establishment of a Noth/South civic forum and
6. Progress towards a single equality bill.

“In return the DUP got a review of a review of the Parades Commission but it is already evident that the “new” arrangements will be almost identical to the old Commission.

“What of the DUP demand that the IRA Army Council stand down? And why no attempt during the negotiations to sort out the mess in education?

“This is a bad deal for Unionism and one for which the DUP will pay a heavy price at the next election”.