Unionists unmoved by Mary Lou McDonald’s ‘combatants and civilians’ distinction

Sinn Fein has been blocking the payments to the seriously injured, as the party objects to a clause that excludes those injured as a result of their involvement in terrorist acts.

The party has always insisted that everyone who suffered life-changing injuries should be treated the same.

Applications for the new Victims’ Payment Scheme were due to commence on May 29, but the scheme has been delayed indefinitely amidst the eligibility row, and another spat over whether London or Stormont will pay the £100 million required.

Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme on Tuesday, Ms McDonald acknowledged “a clear distinction, obviously, between combatants and civilian victims”.

However, she added: “But we will not support a scheme that is very deliberately and rather crudely designed to be partisan. I want everybody to be included. That’s how we heal.”

Responding to the radio interview, Ulster Unionist Doug Beattie said Ms McDonald’s comments won’t stop her party continuing to hold up the payments.

“On the face of it this would seem like a major shift in position from Sinn Fein. However, time will tell if this is another case of vague commentary from Mary Lou McDonald that is later clarified to reinforce the hard-line Sinn Fein position,” he said.

“She draws a distinction between ‘combatants’ and ‘civilians’ but time will tell what she actually means by this. There were plenty of civilians who were targeted as they were carrying out contracting work for the security services – in which bracket is she placing them?”

Mr Beattie added: “Mary Lou McDonald also did not row back on the position of Sinn Fein on the guidance which is what is holding up the pension. The fundamental point is that Sinn Fein are blocking injured victims from receiving the Victims’ Payment and that remains the case regardless of what Mary Lou McDonald may have said this morning.”

TUV leader Jim Allister said the Sinn Fein president’s assertions are “nothing new for the republican movement who have “from time to time have ‘apologised’ for collateral damage but never resiled from the targeted murder of security personnel, including off-duty victims.”

Mr Allister added: “And, of course, their use of the language of ‘combatants’ is to try and create a false equivalence between lawful forces and their bloodthirsty terrorist gangs.”

Victims’ campaigner Ann Travers branded the comments of Ms McDonald “obscene,” and added: “Please don’t hold up the pension for those who so desperately need it. Use the judges panel to appeal whatever cases that may be in doubt.”

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