Trimble backs blueprint decision

THE British and Irish governments were right to withhold their blueprint for the Northern Ireland peace process as republicans refused to face up to their responsibilities, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said yesterday.

The Upper Bann MP said the peace process could not be held to ransom by Sinn Féin and the IRA.

“Our position with regard to republicans was clear from the outset,” the former Northern Ireland first minister said.

“They had to forswear violence, to wind up their paramilitary wing and to proceed to completion with the process of disarmament.

“We told them that they had to be genuine about acts of completion.

“Yesterday, in the House of Commons, I warned the secretary of state about releasing a paper unless he was sure of an adequate response from republicans. Clearly, my concerns were well founded,” he said.

Mr Trimble noted Sinn Féin had questioned his party’s commitment to work the institutions and had expressed their unhappiness with the proposed sanctions and the timeframe for the devolution of policing and justice.

He insisted that this was a smokescreen to conceal the fact they have not been able to deliver.

“Society cannot be held to ransom because republicans cannot deliver on their commitments. The failure is the failure of republicans to implement the Agreement.

“The government is considering what is next, and I urge ministers to think carefully what has to be done to show the Assembly will be able to function after the elections,” he said.