Woodward 'must understand Eames-Bradley anger'
SECRETARY of State Shaun Woodward must understand the anger within unionism at the controversial Eames-Bradley report on the legacy of the Troubles.
Responding to an opinion piece by Mr Woodward in the News Letter about the launch of a consultation on the report, UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy said that he was "disappointed" by some of the Secretary of State's comments.
OPINION: All voices must be heard on legacy of Troubles
"As the consultation begins on the Eames-Bradley report it is vitally important that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland makes an honest reflection on the genuine anger and hurt that this report has caused across Northern Ireland," he said.
"The Secretary of State was right to say that the recommendation for a 'Recognition Payment' caused great controversy, but he is wrong to suggest that this is the sole problem with the report.
"People have understandably been appalled by the continued use of the deeply flawed definition of a victim.
"The fact that the report is based on a definition of a victim which gives similar status to people who carried out acts of terrorism and the innocent people they murdered, is unacceptable.
"This is an essential issue that cannot be ignored. Removing one recommendation from 31 will not solve the inherent problems with Eames-Bradley."
Mr Kennedy urged all those who regard the Eames-Bradley report to be inherently flawed to make their views known to the NIO's Legacy Policy Unit "and not leave it to others".
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Wednesday 15 February 2012
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