Jamie Bryson: ​Attack on Newtownards court and judge is an attack on the state itself

The independent judiciary is central to our constitutional system rooted in freedom and democracy, and as such this attack represents an attack on the very state itself, and all those who value our constitutional arrangements.

It has been widely reported that the attack was carried out by a drug dealing gang calling itself the ‘Real UFF’. Despite trying to claim some linkage to loyalism, there is no such legitimate linkage. Indeed, even the Loyalist Communities Council which speaks on behalf of the mainstream loyalist groups, has made explicitly clear that this group is a drugs gang and has urged (quite properly) the PSNI to relentlessly pursue all those involved in the nefarious drugs trade, regardless of their background. I wholeheartedly concur.

That those who self-proclaim themselves as having some link to loyalism- in an effort to cloak their nefarious criminal activities in some political legitimacy- would attack the judiciary, a central component of our constitutional system in the UK, demonstrates the bone-headed and politically illiterate thinking of those involved in this group.

I, and others in loyalism, want to see an end to all violence in the Newtownards area, and - for the avoidance of doubt - that also includes any violence perpetrated against the drug gang. All violence outside the law is wrong. Those who are involved in crime should be dealt with solely by the PSNI and court process.

There is an onus on the PSNI to restore law and order, to demonstrate that the community should- as I have urged- place their trust in them, and them alone. It is they who are trusted within our constitutional arrangements with dealing with criminals. Thus far, they have abjectly failed and this has led to significant community concern, but it is hoped the PSNI will begin to recognise the imperative of dealing with this gang in order to protect the community

Newtownards Court, and the town itself, is covered in CCTV. It would be deeply troubling, and a little perplexing, if the perpetrators of the attack on the constitutional fundamentals of the UK were not soon before the court to face justice.

Jamie Bryson, NI director of policy, Centre for the Union