The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has called for clarity following revelations on BBC’s The View in which Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP said he did not know about side deals agreed between the Government and Sinn Fein on legacy issues.  

Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“A number of questions arise as a result of last night’s BBC The View.

“Firstly, what kind of talks process has been going on? 

“Was Jeffrey Donaldson kept in the dark by his party’s negotiating team? Did Arlene Foster know? And if so, why did she decide not to tell her Justice spokesperson and allow him to be humiliated live on Television?

“It is clear no lessons been learned from previous talks processes and the malign influence of side deals and the seedy back door self-interest deals we in the Ulster Unionist Party warned about. The devastating impact of the awarding of 200 ‘On The Run’ Letters should have served as a stark warning as to what can happen when side deals are entertained, particularly between British Governments and Sinn Fein.

“And where exactly does all this leave the ‘confidence and supply’ deal between the DUP and the Government?

“This is very basic stuff and drives a stake through the integrity, transparency and openness of the two political parties that want to run this part of the United Kingdom. The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to know who knew what and when, who is – to put it kindly – being economical with the truth – and why? We are all entitled to openness and transparency and the people – who are being treated with contempt by the DUP and Sinn Fein - need to know exactly what has been agreed and what the implications are. The problem is that even if a deal is agreed, then we don’t know what other side deals may also have been agreed, but which are not disclosed to the public. 

“As things stand, this process appears to have been little short of a farce. Sinn Fein claim they had agreed a deal – or ‘accommodation’ - with the DUP. Edwin Poots claimed ownership of the document which included provision for Irish Language legislation. Arlene Foster says there was no agreement and that she never contemplated an Irish Language Act. We now hear the DUP Justice spokesperson state that he was unaware of a deal on legacy funding. 

“Whoever was in the room when the DUP and Sinn Fein were negotiating, it is clear that openness, trust and integrity were posted missing.”