Hermon critical of UUP policing move
THE UUP has expressed its regret after the party's sole MP criticised MLAs for voting against policing and justice.
Lady Sylvia Hermon told the BBC she was deeply disappointed that the Ulster Unionists did not support a motion in the Assembly this week allowing policing powers to be devolved to Stormont next month.
Lady Hermon, who has opposed the party's electoral alliance with the Conservatives for the forthcoming Westminster election, also criticised her party's offensive against Secretary of State Shaun Woodward.
Mr Woodward had put pressure on the Ulster Unionists to back the motion in the Assembly, which was eventually passed with adequate cross-community support.
"I wanted all of the parties in the Executive to stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of dissident terrorism and say we have had enough, we are going forward together," Lady Hermon said.
Reacting to Lady Hermon's comments, a statement from the UUP said:
"The Ulster Unionist Assembly Group took its decision to oppose the devolution of policing and justice at this time with the full support of the Ulster Unionist Party Officer team and with the full support of the Party Executive Committee. This is how the UUP make democratic decisions.
It added: "It is regrettable that Lady Sylvia's position does not reflect the view of the party and it is disappointing that she failed to voice her concern at the Party Executive meeting rather than in the media."
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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