The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has demanded answers following the revelation on the BBC Radio Ulster Nolan Show today that secret talks have been taking place regarding the legacy of the Troubles, from which the Party and the representatives of innocent victims of terrorist violence have been excluded.
Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“The news that secret talks have been taking place at Lambeth Palace - sponsored by the Archbishop of Canterbury - in a bid to resolve the legacy of the Troubles, will be of concern to anyone who is interested in openness and transparency.
“I am especially concerned – and not a little angry – that the representatives of political unionism and the representatives of the victims of terrorism have been excluded from the room where these talks have been taking place.
“We need to find out exactly who organised this process, who was invited, who invited them, on whose authority they were acting, how invitees were selected, and what mandate they had to be there.
“I am extremely concerned at reports that included on the invited guest list, was the Irish Government along with representatives of the IRA and Sinn Fein, loyalist paramilitaries, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD). I also understand that certain academics were there seeking support for their own draft bill, based on the Stormont House Agreement legacy arrangements, which the Ulster Unionist Party and many victims of terrorism have already rejected.
“Two years ago in the foreword to the legacy consultation process, the then Secretary of State Karen Bradley said that legacy proposals must be ‘balanced, fair, equitable and crucially, proportionate.’ Now we find out that not only is this a one sided process, but the most important section of our community - the victims and survivors - have been excluded.
“Is it any wonder that Sinn Fein are starting to shout about the Stormont House Agreement once more because they knew about these meetings? While courting support from other political parties they have kept them in the dark as to what was going on.
“The Ulster Unionist Party is demanding answers as to what has been going on and particularly why we, and innocent victims of terrorism have been excluded. We will not stand idly by and watch as unelected and unrepresentative elements make decisions that will affect Northern Ireland for decades to come and allow terrorists to dictate the terms of legacy investigation over the interests of victims.
“We are committed to preventing history being re-written and to arrive at a legacy solution that is indeed ‘balanced, fair equitable and crucially, proportionate.’ This secret process clearly cannot do that.”