UUP MLA and Vice-Chair of The Executive Office Committee, Doug Beattie MC, has said that it remains the case that Sinn Fein are holding up the Victims’ Payment Scheme, in spite of comments by Mary Lou McDonald on Good Morning Ulster earlier today.
Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“On the face of it this would seem like a major shift in position from Sinn Fein. However, time will tell if this is another case of vague commentary from Mary Lou McDonald that is later clarified to reinforce the hard-line Sinn Fein position.
“She draws a distinction between ‘combatants’ and ‘civilians’ but time will tell what she actually means by this. There were plenty of civilians who were targeted as they were carrying out contracting work for the security services – in which bracket is she placing them?
“Mary Lou McDonald also did not row back on the position of Sinn Fein on the guidance which is what is holding up the pension. The fundamental point is that Sinn Fein are blocking injured victims from receiving the Victims’ Payment and that remains the case regardless of what Mary Lou McDonald may have said this morning.”