Statement by TUV party chairman Ivor McConnell:

“In TUV’s response to the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Programme we highlight a number of areas which are of grave concern to our party.

“TUV objects strongly to the commitment within the CSI Programme to publish a sexual orientation strategy (1.9).

“TUV is astonished that there is not one word of recognition of the contribution which nurturing the traditional family unit can make to a cohesive society within the CSI Programme while at the same time there is a commitment to publish a sexual orientation strategy.

“It is patently obvious that there is already a more than enough legislation to protect and promote this interest group. There is no statutory justification or requirement for the proposed strategy. It is an obvious sop to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lobby demanded by Sinn Fein/IRA and meekly accepted by the DUP – in spite of the latter’s past stance on such issues.

“Also of concern is the proposed Minority Language Strategy – part of the outworking of the Hillsborough Agreement – which has the potential to see the rampant promotion of Irish throughout our Province.

“Additionally, TUV sees potential dangers in the loose and fluffy language which characterises much of this document. While on the face of it no one could take issue with the statements like “it is recognised that a cohesive society is one in which everyone can live, work and socialise together free from intimidation and prejudice in the context of the fairness, equality, rights, respect and responsibility” (1.7) TUV believes there could be dangers in how these words are twisted by interest groups. For example, the Belfast Agreement stated that everyone has “the right to live free from sectarian harassment” - a phrase which is almost repeated word for word in this consultation document (5.2). TUV wholeheartedly agrees with this laudable objective. However, the phrase has been twisted by sectarian “residents’ groups” and Republicans in order to justify their efforts to ethically cleanse areas of any form of cultural expression which is not Irish and Republican.

“We strongly believe that respect for the Unionist/Protestant marching tradition is a key indicator of whether or not this country is genuinely moving forward.

“There are several other aspects of the document relating to symbols and parading which are potentially dangerous. These are outlined in the full response which is online.

“Having considered the document TUV is not surprised that the DUP held up the CSI for so long before capitulating in order to get their policing and justice deal through. It will doubtless cause many raised eyebrows in traditional DUP areas – particularly when they consider the commitment to a sexual orientation strategy”.