Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has criticised the Alliance Party`s Deputy Leader, Stephen Farry MLA, for his sneering and condescending twitter comments in relation to 11,000 victims losing confidence in the Victims` Commissioner Judith Thompson.
Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“If the Alliance Party support the beleaguered Victims Commissioner and they see no issue in supporting the Commissioner’s report that will allow perpetrators of terrorism, if injured by their own hand, an equivalent pension to the victims they created, that`s a matter for them.
“What I cannot accept is being described as attempting to ‘stir the pot’ or that supporting victims, who have real confidence issues with the Commissioner, is creating a ‘politically manufactured problem’. These are sneering and condescending comments from the Alliance Party`s Deputy Leader, Stephen Farry MLA, that portray victims as a manipulated group incapable of thinking for themselves.
“The powers of the Commissioner are quite clear. One of those statutory duties is ‘to keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice affecting the interests of victims and survivors’.
“In failing to do this within her report in respect to Victims and Survivors Pension Arrangements (VASPA) the Commissioner has lost the confidence of over 11,000 victims who lobbied her on this very issue and who were ignored.
“With the Commissioner turning her back on some victims they reached out for support from politicians; the Ulster Unionist Party gave them that support. It is now up to others to explain why they feel these victims’ concerns should not be heard.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Tweet from @StephenFarryMLA replying to @BeattieDoug:
I am aware of what has been said by some victims groups. But politicians have a choice to lead and act responsibly or to stir the pot. You are doing the latter, and I think this a dangerous road you are heading down.
Tweet from @StephenFarryMLA replying to @BeattieDoug:
She has been objective & worked within the rules set by the political system. This is politically manufactured problem and if we end up with her head on a plate, precedent is set and any successor and the office becomes needlessly politicised. And we take one more step backwards.
Tweet from @StephenFarryMLA quoting the Belfast Newsletter article from Innocent Victims United:
Judith Thompson retains our full confidence as Victim Commissioner. We are not interested in any political hatchet job. Lining up political parties for or against her is destructive. And also at odds with public appointments system.
Quoting Tweet from
@News_Letter
· Aug 17
Kenny Donaldson of Innocent Victims United in plea to DUP, SDLP and Alliance to clarify position on Thompson https://newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/dup