Ulster Unionist Party Policing Spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA, has hit out at Sinn Fein’s hypocrisy following their criticism of the Chief Constable’s comments about removing children from the homes of people currently engaged in paramilitary activity.
Alan Chambers MLA said:
“Sinn Fein’s stance on the Chief Constable’s comments that children should be removed from homes in which active paramilitaries live, can only be described as rank hypocrisy. Given that we are constantly being told that the IRA no longer exists, you have to wonder why Sinn Fein representatives have such an objection to the thought of children being removed from the homes of paramilitaries.
“Furthermore, paramilitaries – not least the IRA – have used children as cover for decades and had no second thoughts to separating parents and children on a permanent basis by murdering them. There seems to be a curious eagerness from some quarters, to protect the interests and rights of those who seek to abuse children and the entire community, by conducting so-called punishment beating and shootings, which are often inflicted on young people, including teenagers.
“The Police do have a safeguarding role and a duty of care to children – as indeed does the whole of society. We should all be concerned if children are living in homes that contain violent criminals, explosives or drugs, and should support moves to protect such children.”