Doug Beattie MC MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice spokesperson, has condemned the remarks made by Gerry McGeough on the American radio news station WBAI.
Doug Beattie said:
“As an Ulster Unionist I believe that everyone, be they Republican, Loyalist or other, have the right to express their views and promote the cause they believe in. However, the comments by Gerry McGeough on the American Radio station WBAI border on incitement to commit an unlawful act against members of the Judiciary in Northern Ireland.
“The use of the terms traitors and collaborators is both emotive and provocative. They conjure up images from the past that we thought we had left behind when people were tarred and feathered for engaging with the security forces, while others were shot or blown up purely because they worked with or for the forces of law and order in this country.
“I call on the PSNI to investigate Mr McGeough’s words and see if an offence has been committed. If there has, then they must take action against him as early as possible. I also call on WBAI to engage with all sections of Northern Ireland society so they can have a full picture of what went on in this part of the United Kingdom. They need to give a more balanced view, starting with the majority of people in Northern Ireland who want to remain within the United Kingdom, instead of the single republican narrative they tend to peddle.
“This interview was unhelpful, one sided and a disgusting display of backward thinking that main-stream republicans who are wedded to the peace process must condemn.”