DUP's Campbell accuses Sinn Fein of 'rank hypocrisy' and says nationalist criticism of Braverman's police comments 'rings hollow'

While not directly criticising Suella Braverman’s comments, the DUP’s Gregory Campbell has hit out at nationalists, saying they have tried to exert influence on the operational decisions of police in Northern Ireland. He said that just weeks ago the High Court ruled that policing decisions in Belfast “were ‘materially influenced by the threat (real or perceived)’ that Sinn Fein would leave the Policing Board.”

The Home Secretary has been under fire over her claim that London’s Metropolitan Police treated pro-Palestinian protestors more favourably, and said there was "a perception that senior officers play favourites when it comes to protesters".

Campbell said “Sinn Fein and the SDLP have described Suella Braverman’s article as ‘extraordinary’ and ‘ignorant’ but in truth allegations of two-tier policing should come as no surprise to republicans or nationalists.“During the pandemic, the police ombudsman found that the police had treated certain protests differently and that it was not only unfair but discriminatory. Indeed as a party, we made the then chief constable aware of at least 10 incidents, including funeral processions and shows of strength, where republicans benefited from a soft touch approach by police.”

He criticised republicans over the funeral of former IRA man Bobby Storey during the coronavirus pandemic, saying that it “brought thousands of people onto the streets despite Covid guidelines being in place. The Public Prosecution Service concluded that engagement between police and organisers of that political event gave senior members of Sinn Fein protection against prosecution.”

A Public Prosecution Service report into the decision not to prosecute twenty four Sinn Fein members who attended the Storey funeral, including former deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill, found that “the policing approach in the lead up to the funeral and on the day presented difficulties which the prosecution would not be able to overcome in the context of criminal proceedings.”

The DUP MP continued “Only weeks ago, the High Court found that decisions by the Police to suspend and reposition two of its junior officers were ‘‘materially influenced by the threat (real or perceived)’’ that Sinn Fein would leave the Policing Board. This demonstrates the rank hypocrisy of Sinn Fein. Their howls against Braverman ring hollow. There is no room for political interference. The concerns of every tradition and community must carry equal weight and the rule of law must ultimately be applied without fear or favour.”

The Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald has accused the Home Secretary of being “at sea and ignorant”, while the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said that Braverman’s "aggressive ignorance" makes her unfit for office.

The DUP have previously accused the SDLP leader of trying to influence operational policing in Londonderry. In September during disorder after police searches in Creggan, Mr Eastwood posted on social media urging police to "end their operation as soon as possible so peace can be restored". The SDLP denied the DUP claim and said they were working with police to ensure that a “difficult situation didn’t descend into further violence and that the police operation was concluded as quickly as possible”.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has distanced himself from the Home Secretary’s allegations of police bias.

Mr Hunt said he has a “productive relationship” with Mrs Braverman, but signalled Cabinet unease by telling reporters “the words that she used are not words that I myself would have used”.Facing pressure to sack Mrs Braverman, Rishi Sunak continued to express his confidence in her, but No 10 declined to say whether the pair had spoken since her inflammatory unauthorised article.No 10 said they were working “very closely” ahead of Saturday’s march, but chose not to repeat her widely-criticised language. A Downing Street spokeswoman declined to endorse the Home Secretary’s comments and stressed that it is for police to “make operational decisions” surrounding protests.The official said the Prime Minister “has confidence” in Mrs Braverman, but did not rule out a Cabinet reshuffle, saying she would not discuss “speculation”.The spokeswoman repeatedly chose not to say whether the pair had spoken, but insisted “they work very closely, as they have been on protests and preparations for the weekend”.The Home Secretary’s actions have added to tension around the march planned for Saturday – Armistice Day – by pro-Palestinian groups, and the risk of counter-protests, particularly around the Cenotaph, even though the demonstration is not expected to go near the monument.Mr Sunak will need to decide whether the Home Secretary’s actions breached the ministerial code and, if so, whether he should sack her.