The Stormont debate on the flagrant social distancing breach at Bobby Storey’s funeral was just a reminder that Sinn Fein seem untouchable

Last evening’s Stormont debate on the Bobby Storey funeral underlined how powerless MLAs are.
News Letter editorialNews Letter editorial
News Letter editorial

Dublin, and its follower London, has made clear that no scenario will be accepted other than Sinn Fein in power at all times, whatever they do.

Michelle O’Neill, who disgraced herself at last week’s funeral and made a mockery of her own Covid instructions, still maintains that she did not breach social distancing by attending an event at which there were huge crowds, more than 1,000 packed along the route, and hundreds of participants.

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If anyone in the public is similarly obtuse and still somehow has not grasped what the last three months of lockdown were about, and thinks such crowds legitimate, they should read our political editor Sam McBride’s Saturday analysis (still on our website) of the multiple and obvious breaches by republicans at the funeral. But even if there is such a person, Ms O’Neill doesn’t have their excuse – she drew up the rules.

That Stormont or Belfast City Council are not up to recognising their own complicity in this saga is indicated by the way Roselawn was closed for the IRA godfather and NI guidelines quietly changed within 48 hours the funeral, to bring the Covid advice for everyone else closer to what republicans had already just decided they could themselves do.

The DUP MLA Christopher Stalford suggested in the debate that an assembly committee probe. That would be good.

In the meantime what is London doing about the betrayal of the security forces via the pro terrorist direction of legacy?

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Why does Brandon Lewis almost apologise for the UK retreat from Stormont House? Why is the NIO still considering a Pat Finucane inquiry?

Where is the assurance that pension guidelines will not be changed to pay terrorists? Why has no path been laid out for examining IRA murders of lawyers and judges? Or the Republic’s role harbouring terrorists?

Where is the plan for an examination of the mainland bombing campaign? And many other atrocities?

Why do elderly low-ranking veterans face murder trials and no IRA leaders the same?

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The special treatment for a major terrorist last week was vivid, but only a part of a wider scandal of appeasing them.

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Alistair Bushe

Editor