Paisley: SF response to St Andrew's 'a step backwards'

“The statement yesterday by Gerry Adams qualifying his support for the current round of political negotiations is in my view a major step backwards,” the North Antrim MP said.

“At St Andrews, the DUP put the issues of the rule of law, support for the police and courts at the top of the political agenda.

“Sinn Féin came away from St Andrews with nothing but pressure on them to deliver up-front on policing and the rule of law.

“Whilst others have allowed themselves to be distracted, I have firmly kept myself fixed on this objective, that those who want to be in government must be committed to this basic democratic principle.

“Sinn Féin has avoided addressing this matter.

“In their most recent statement they have attempted to unhook themselves by raising all manner of pre-conditions, including the seasonal old chestnut that Sinn Féin will support the police only when the police change.

“They are once again back to calling for a precise date for the devolution of policing and justice when everyone knows, except seemingly Sinn Féin supporters, that devolution of policing and justice powers will only occur when the people are content for it to be devolved.”

With Northern Ireland’s politicians facing a deadline of Friday to state their views on British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s plan for restoring power-sharing, Sinn Féin yesterday announced it would follow the timetable laid out by London and Dublin.

But while Sinn Féin said it believed the St Andrews Agreement had the potential to deliver power sharing, Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald said the party was not yet in a position to hold a special conference to discuss whether or not it should endorse the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Ms McDonald said while the primary focus of today’s party executive meeting was the St Andrews Agreement, the issue of policing was discussed.

The MEP insisted that Mr Adams was not yet in a position to put a proposal for a party conference to the executive.

“The resolution of the issue of policing is a matter for the two governments and all the political parties – issues which need resolved include agreement on the model and timeframe for transfer,” she said.

“Sinn Féin is committed to bring an end to decades of bad policing. All elements in policing need to be accountable. Sinn Féin rejects any role in civic policing for MI5.

“Justice and the fair and impartial rule f law are essential elements of a society at peace with itself. We want to see democratically accountable civic policing, and we will continue to work until we achieve this.

“erry Adams will propose to the Ard Chomhairle that we convene a special Árd Fhéis as soon as these matters are resolved.”

The DUP has said it needs Sinn Féin to join with the other Assembly parties in publicly supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland if it is to share power with them next March.

To do that, Gerry Adams must recommend to his party’s executive that a special conference be held to change its policing policy.

Mr Paisley said decision day had come for Sinn Féin on policing.

The DUP leader asked: “Are they going to abandon once and for all their double speak, lies and ambiguities?

“Are they going to move from years of support for criminality and terror and embrace fully democratic principles, including the support for the police and the rule of law?”

Mr Paisley said that Sinn Féin had effectively admitted it was not yet ready to endorse the police because of internal problems.

He said: “The democratic process cannot be twisted and turned for Sinn Féin’s convenience.

“The DUP will be maintaining its position that there must be delivery of support for the police immediately before this process can move forward.”