Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has expressed his frustration and anger at how the NIO has handled the proposed consultation on legacy.
Mr Beattie said:
“It is absolutely outrageous how the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is treating some elected representatives in relation to dealing with issues about legacy.
“As the Ulster Unionist Party Justice spokesperson I wrote to the NIO in February 2018 and on multiple occasions since, to ask for a meeting about the public consultation on legacy in the wake of the failed Sinn Fein/DUP agreement.
“The NIO ignored that request and finally responded - after I wrote to the Secretary of State and my Party Leader made a direct approach to the Secretary of State - with a date of 9 May for a meeting. This was nearly three months after my initial request.
“However, on 4 May they released the draft consultation on legacy to all political parties. This means that Ulster Unionist Party`s concerns around issues raised during the early political talks of 2018 between Sinn Fein and the DUP - particularly a Statute of Limitations, the Definition of a Victim and Pensions for those injured during the Troubles - could not be raised. We remain very concerned about the creation of the HIU which will effectively be a parallel police force.
“This is not the way to treat what are very serious concerns form unionist public representatives and if this is the way that are going to proceed, then it doesn`t bode well for the future.”