Unionism divided over justice vote
UNIONISM was involved in bitter recriminations following the transfer of policing and justice powers.
In what was effectively a three-way split between the DUP, the Ulster Unionists and Traditional Unionist Voice, insults were traded in the aftermath of the Stormont vote.
Both the UUP and TUV demanded to know why the DUP pressed ahead with the transfer, after earlier pledges that it was unlikely to happen.
TUV leader Jim Allister called it a "day of shame for unionism" and demanded to know what became of the DUP's sceptics, who he has described as "snowmen".
The UUP slammed the DUP for abandoning their pledge that they would only proceed with UUP support.
The DUP, however, said that they had concluded the Ulster Unionists were acting in party self interest, and so it was not appropriate to wait for their support.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey said: "Intimidated by Sinn Fein's tantrums, the DUP failed to support fellow unionists seeking a proper, stable four-party coalition.
"Voters across Northern Ireland will also be asking how every DUP MLA present in the Assembly today voted in support of devolving policing and justice powers despite the DUP publicly stating on a number of occasions that they would not do so without UUP support."
Nigel Dodds, who had previously said that the transfer would not happen without UUP support, or in any event in a political lifetime, explained the DUP change of position yesterday. "We have always said it will be a political lifetime before Sinn Fein get their hands on policing and justice.
"That is still the position," he told the News Letter.
He added: "What has been clear is there is clear evidence that Ulster Unionist voters, UU supporters, members, are saying just go ahead. Some MLAs said it privately. Their boss David Cameron in London said 'unhappily' he couldn't get the Ulster Unionists to agree.
"It was clear what was done today was party political posturing."
The Assembly vote passed 88 to 17. Thirty-four of the DUP's 36-strong team voted yes, with the Willie McCrea said to be attending a funeral, while the DUP's Willie Hay serves as Assembly Speaker. Also voting yes were Sinn Fein's 28 MLAs, the SDLP's 16 MLAs, the Alliance's seven members, together with the single Green MLA, an independent member, and Progressive Unionist Party leader Dawn Purvis.
The UUP was without one of its members who was absent for personal reasons, but the remaining 17 voted against. Powers will transfer on April 12.
TUV leader Jim Allister said "IRA/Sinn Fein" had "obtained their long-standing strategic objective of unpicking the DUP's triple lock on policing and justice and securing those powers for their own terrorist-inclusive Executive".
"At least the Ulster Unionists had the self-respect and dignity to stand their ground," he said.
"Having trod a path littered with multiple broken pledges, the DUP emerges with their credibility in tatters.
"The supposed 'strongmen' of the DUP have given snowmen a bad name."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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