Mike Nesbitt MLA, Ulster Unionist member of the Policing Board, has written to the Justice Minister, Naomi Long MLA, asking her to remove Gerry Kelly MLA from the Policing Board using the powers vested in her under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000.
The text of Mr Nesbitt`s correspondence to the Justice Minister is as follows:
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Naomi Long MLA
Minister for Justice
29 September 2020
Dear Minister,
Gerry Kelly MLA, Political Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Do you agree with the sentiments expressed by the Secretary of State in response to the tweet posted by Gerry Kelly MLA on the 38th anniversary of what is referred to commonly as the “Maze Escape”?
The Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP wrote in these terms:
“This is disgraceful. Such shameful and gratuitous incitement makes it harder for all communities in Northern Ireland to move forward. It is right to expect so much more from elected representatives.”
If you do agree with the Secretary of State, will you use the powers vested in you by the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000? I refer specifically to Schedule 1 Part III Paragraph 9 (1) (d) and (e), namely your power to remove a person from office as a member of the Policing board if you are satisfied that
(d) he is not committed to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means;
(e) he is otherwise unable or unfit to discharge his functions as a member of the Board.
In his tweet, Mr Kelly described the escape as “One of Big Bob’s best ops!” This clearly implies Mr Kelly continues to take pride in being part of a serious criminal act, the biggest break-out of prisoners in British penal history, which saw a prison officer lose his life, suffering a fatal heart attack after being stabbed, while another officer was shot in the head.
I believe it is your duty to act and urge you to remove Mr Kelly from the Policing Board with immediate effect.
Yours sincerely
Mike Nesbitt MLA
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