Nesbitt slams Sinn Fein over '˜arrogant' take on truth recovery

The Ulster Unionist leader was commenting after Martin McGuinness said he would “deal with” allegations about his terrorist past in the context of any new ‘truth and justice’ structures – if the British Government opens up its vast hoard of security files.

Mr Nesbitt said the “arrogant” approach of the deputy first minister “revealed the true nature of Sinn Fein’s commitment to dealing with the past”.

Mr Nesbitt said: “He knows as well as I do that the chief constable talks about the PSNI being in possession of some 10 million pieces of paper relating to the past, never mind what the Army and security services hold.

“He wants full and unfettered access to every scrap of paper, but in return all he is offering is the promise of having a chat about what he got up to. He has already made clear to the Saville Inquiry there are facts he will not disclose ‘under any circumstances’ and this latest statement remains true to that sentiment.”

The leader of the Opposition at Stormont added: “There is no balance in this approach. It is arrogant and outrageous in equal measure and therefore no basis for a deal on the past.”

Sky News reported on Friday night that plans for a new Historical Investigations Unit – along with a ‘truth recovery process’ – had stalled amid claims that the release of some documents could compromise UK national security.

Asked on the programme if he was prepared to tell the truth about what he did during his time in the IRA, and what he knows, Mr McGuinness did not say he would disclose any information about himself.

He said: “Well you see the mechanisms and structures that we have agreed be established make provision for families who have a grievance and who are requiring a resolution to their grievance to go forward to these tribunals.

“If, in any circumstance, any of that has a connection with myself, in relation to people levelling allegations or whatever, then I will deal with that. That’s not a difficulty for me whatsoever.”