Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“Yet again Sinn Féin have shown the vacuous nature of their policy around legacy by calling for the release of John Downey, arrested for the murder of two British soldiers.
“Not only has their Chairperson Declan Kearney called for his release but the leader of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland has waded in calling his arrest an act of ‘bad faith’.
“It is absolutely clear that Sinn Féin’s call for truth and justice is really a call for truth and justice for those killed by the state while ignoring the majority of victims caused by an organisation – the Provisional IRA - they supported and continue to excuse.
“If there was ever evidence that Sinn Fein are not to be trusted on legacy then here it is. It is well past time the DUP understood that blindly supporting Sinn Féin’s Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) will lead to a process continually undermined by these apologists for terror.
“Every time the spotlight is shone in the direction of their rabid partners - the Provisional IRA - Sinn Féin will come out of their corner swinging as they play to an audience whose sole role was to butcher men, women and children.”