• Corbyn and McDonnell had no role in the Northern Ireland peace process
• Corbyn cannot be trusted to protect and defend the British people
• Corbyn betraying memory of murdered MPs

Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Robin Swann MLA, has accused Jeremy Corbyn of having no compassion for the victims of the Provisional IRA.

Mr Swann said:

“Throughout the course of Sunday, Jeremy Corbyn had every opportunity to withdraw or clarify his comments when he was simply asked to unequivocally condemn the IRA and failed to do so. The fact that in the midst of an election where he is seeking to be Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, that he cannot unequivocally condemn a terrorist organisation which brought death and destruction to our streets on an industrial scale, singles him out as one of the most unsuitable characters ever to attempt to become Prime Minister. I count members of the Labour Party as personal friends and I know that they will be absolutely disgusted if not unsurprised by Jeremy Corbyn`s failure to unequivocally condemn the IRA.

“Fellow Corbyn journeymen such as John McDonnell try to put up the feeble excuse that his support for IRA bombers at various events was part of some grand plan to bring peace to Northern Ireland. As we say in Northern Ireland, let`s call a spade a spade. That is a spoof excuse. John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn had no role in the peace process.  If anything, their grandstanding with apologists for murder possibly extended the Troubles by giving succour to the IRA. If Mr Corbyn cannot see right from wrong, what faith can any man or woman in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland have in Jeremy Corbyn as a potential Prime Minister to protect and defend them when under attack from other terrorist organisations or repressive regimes.   

“While Jeremy Corbyn was running around making excuses for the IRA, British soldiers, policemen and civilians were being murdered on our streets. And no matter how uncomfortable it may be for Mr Corbyn, he should be reminded that it was the IRA who murdered Members of Parliament and other elected representatives who dared to oppose them. How any man who wants to be Prime Minister cannot unequivocally condemn the terrorist gang that murdered elected representatives such as Airey Neave MP, Rev Robert Bradford MP, Sir Anthony Berry MP and Ian Gow MP is beyond me. He is betraying their memory and disrespecting the values which Parliament upholds. While Jeremy Corbyn and his acolytes were running around holding hands with Gerry Adams, the IRA was murdering members of the party which I now lead. Mr Corbyn has no shame, and no compassion for the victims of the Provisional IRA.”