Ulster Unionist Peer, Lord Empey, has strongly criticised Peter Hain`s latest comments, stating that they are an example of the double standards which undermine our institutions.
Lord Empey said:
“I note Peter Hain's comments that we should move on in Northern Ireland and his view that we have to swallow hard on what has happened in the past and not pursue possible criminals in the wider interests of the 'peace process’.
“However, it is Peter Hain`s Labour Party that has pledged to open an enquiry into the killing of Pat Finucane. How can we take Peter's comments seriously when his party committed itself last year to a full scale enquiry after a meeting with the Finucane family?
“Is this not another example of the double standard that pervades Whitehall at the moment and undermines people's trust in our Institutions when they see a rigorous pursuit and investigation of the actions of the Security Forces and contrast this with Government interference and the threats issued by Sinn Fein over the arrest of Gerry Adams?
“I think Peter Hain needs to convince his own party before he will have any success convincing anybody else that the past can be dealt with in this one sided way.”