The Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Robin Swann MLA, has stated that the Secretary of State needs to call out those parties making excuses for not engaging in meaningful talks to restore devolution.
Mr Swann said:
“Sinn Fein and the DUP may have been listening to Father Magill but they have failed to hear what he said.
“It was heart wrenching that within a few hours of Father Magill injecting some realism into the political discourse at the funeral of Lyra McKee, the same old rhetoric was played out within hours in the media. It was as if they hadn’t heard a single word he said. I hope it was a knee-jerk reaction to the uncomfortable truth.
“Instead of taking time to reflect, Sinn Fein ran straight to the TV studios to restate what everybody already knew. And the DUP responded. The record hadn’t changed.
“This is an abdication of political responsibility. It is clear that some are still intent on making excuses for not engaging in meaningful talks. For too long they have been allowed to hide behind soundbites and slogans. The Secretary of State needs to call them out and set the direction for talks or else society should move on without them. They should not be allowed to hold the rest of us back. There should not be preconditions to talks.
“Now is the time for some straight talking. Otherwise we will be failing another generation. Lyra McKee’s death should be the last at the hands of terrorists.”