DUP's Jonathan Buckley in call for unionist unity over Drumcree - as he invites unionist party leaders for talks
A DUP MLA is to invite the leaders of the three main unionist parties to talks on cooperation – saying pro-Union voters are “sick, sore and tired” of infighting.
Jonathan Buckley says recent events surrounding the Drumcree standoff have reinforced his “belief that we must find a better way forward” and rebuild unionist political and electoral strength.
It comes as police announced they are preparing case files for prosecutors on 18 people interviewed by officers on suspicion of involvement in an allegedly illegal protest on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
Mr Buckley's Upper Bann colleague Carla Lockhart is expected to quit the DUP early next week, and sit in Westminster as an independent – reducing the party's representation in the Commons to four MPs.
A letter to Gavin Robinson, Jon Burrows and Jim Allister says there is a “genuine yearning among our people for unionist leaders to put aside personal and party interests”.
And writing in today's News Letter, Mr Buckley says he has been asked for his position on where he stands on recent events and where unionism goes from here.
The Upper Bann MLA said that despite “deep anger and frustration” over the conduct of Michelle O'Neill and other nationalist leaders, pulling Emma Little Pengelly out of the Executive could “rapidly escalate towards the complete collapse” of the Northern Ireland government.
“My concern is that a full collapse of our government could produce a significant Sinn Féin electoral surge, leaving unionism confronting an emboldened republican movement demanding further constitutional or institutional changes and renewed pressure for a border poll”, the DUP MLA said.
In his letter to unionist leaders – including his own – Mr Buckley says he is “writing to invite you to immediate, formal and structured talks to explore greater cooperation, defend the rule of law, strengthen accountability, protect our constitutional position and rebuild unionist political and electoral strength.
“This is not about any individual or party. It is about our people, our country and the generations who will follow us.
“I sincerely hope you will accept this invitation and that we can meet at the earliest opportunity”.
Meanwhile, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said 60 suspects have been identified during its investigation into a protest on the Garvaghy Rd during the Drumcree stand off, of whom 18 have been interviewed so far.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald are among several political representatives who have so far been interviewed over their participation.
Providing an update on the investigation on Friday, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said the work by his officers to build evidential cases continued.
“A team of 30 officers, led by an experienced Senior Investigating Officer, are methodically working through over 70 hours of recorded material and have now built evidential packages in respect of 60 identified suspects,” he said.
“Currently 18 of these suspects have been interviewed, and case files are now being prepared before being submitted to the Public Prosecution Service for prosecutorial decisions, in line with normal process.
“The investigation will continue in the coming weeks in line with the Criminal Justice Strategy put in place for this operation.
“As this is a live investigation, which is likely to be long-running, we won’t be making any further comment at this time”, the police chief said.