Ervine warns Unionists not to dismiss IRA statement

David Ervine, leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, which speaks for the Ulster Volunteer Force, said the IRA statement, released to the republican newspaper An Phoblacht and Dublin newsrooms, should not be dismissed out of hand.

‘‘It’s been a long time in coming and we should acknowledge the fact that it has arrived and hope that maybe it heralds a new attitude,’’ he said.

Peter Robinson, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said the IRA would be serving the people of Northern Ireland better if it stopped its present violence.

‘‘Their statement has all the odour of being more to do with the dilemma they are facing with the Prime Minister than any earnestness on their part to recognise the hurt and anger they have caused,’’ he said.