DUP MLA Simon Hamilton said: “The announcement regarding the third stage of the European Programme for Peace and Reconciliation raises serious questions for the Special EU Prog-rammes Body responsible for administering the funding.  

“While it is welcome that e55 million is going to victims it is outrageous that several million will be going to former prisoners. 

“This money would have been much better served going to economic development and other projects. 

“The fact that the victims sector budget at this stage is more than five times greater than that allocated to ex-prisoners is a positive situation but far from ideal.

“For too long the victims have been ignored whilst the perpetrators have been supported by Europe.” 

Mr Allister said: “This is a monstrous decision.”

He said that most of the money was going to “groups representing IRA terrorists”.

The MEP attacked the DUP over the funding: “What is the point of the DUP being in government if it is not prepared to exercise a veto over Provo funding?”