Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has made clear that the Ulster Unionist Party won`t be supporting the Police Ombudsman`s proposals which would effectively single out retired police officers. Marie Anderson gave an interview to the Irish News stating that she wants to compel only former officers to co-operate with her office.
Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, said:
“Northern Ireland has suffered under an appalling terrorist campaign that saw some of the worst human rights abuses by terrorists in our recent history. During this time the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC GC) stood between the terrorists and the terrorised.
“Now, in their retirement, the Police Ombudsman wants to create legislation that will single out RUC GC officers and compel them to cooperate with her office. She wishes to do this while no such compulsion is in place for former terrorists, even those now dressed as politicians.
“If the Ombudsman intends to go down this road then it should be through legislation - via the Department for Justice - that should compel any member of the public, as private citizens, to cooperate with her office and not just former police officers.
“The Ulster Unionist Party will not support the singling out of former retired police officers in this way. We would expect both the Chief Constable and the Justice Minister to ensure that former police officers will not be treated in any way less favourable than other private citizens.”