British urged not to give in to DUP’s ‘grubby’ demands

THE British Government was urged yesterday by the SDLP not to give in to Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionist’s “grubby” demands on demilitarisation.

As unionists continued to protest over plans to scrap the Northern Ireland based battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and the tearing down of military fortifications in the province, nationalist SDLP Assembly member John Dallat argued: “The British Government must not indulge this grubby agenda.

“The British Government admitted as much when they agreed two years ago to demolish them all. The only reason they are not already gone is because the IRA dragged its heels about ending all activity.

“So how can the DUP seriously argue that these ugly towers should stay now?

“Is the DUP seriously expecting taxpayers to waste money on this? Does the DUP not accept that this money is much more urgently needed for our health services - or even for the PSNI?”

Unionists were incensed on Monday when Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain announced plans to reduce troop levels in the province from 10,500 soldiers to a peace time garrison of 5,000 in two years.

Work has already begun on dismantling Army observation towers in south Armagh, west Belfast and Derry.

Officials also intend to end the practice of Army back-up for police patrols within two years.

Mr Dallat also noted DUP criticism of recent appointments to public bodies and in particular the appointments of former Women’s Coalition Assembly member Monica McWilliams and ex-RTÉ director general Bob Collins to head the Human Rights and Equality Commissions respectively.

“The DUP also demand that their cronies be appointed to all public bodies,” the SDLP chief whip said.

“If this is the DUP’s agenda before it will enter into government, people must rightly fear what their agenda in government will be like.”