Democratic Unionists 'split over Sinn Fein'

Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists are split over whether they should deal with Sinn Fein, a rival claimed today.

Ulster Unionist MLA Michael McGimpsey claimed comments by DUP Assembly man William Hay about the conditions under which his party would talk to Sinn Fein were evidence of a looming confrontation between rival factions in Mr Paisley’s party.

“Public comments made by Willie Hay yesterday that the DUP would sit down and do business with their sworn enemies in Sinn Fein point to the political reality which the Ulster Unionist Party recognised many years ago,” he said.

“However, Mr Hay earned a quick put-down for his remarks by his party leader, Dr Paisley, who said they did not represent official party policy.

“What clearer evidence do we need that the DUP is in disarray, with some prominent figures now moving closer to our position while others remain determined to treat as ’traitors’ those who, in their eyes, would contemplate such political heresy?”

Mr Hay, a member of the Northern Ireland policing board, surprised some politicians and observers by indicating yesterday that the DUP would be prepared to “sit down and do business” with Sinn Fein “like any other constitutional party” if republicans committed themselves totally to democracy.

The former mayor of Derry said: “First of all, we need to have a clear message from paramilitaries that the war is over and especially from the republican movement that there is a clear timetable of dismantling the IRA.

“We are saying clearly to the republican movement – if you want to be involved in democratic politics in Northern Ireland, be involved.

“But you have got to tell people clearly without smoke and mirrors that your war is over, that you are coming solely and absolutely into politics.

“Then we can all move on in Northern Ireland because I don’t want to take Northern Ireland back to 30 years of violence. I certainly do not want to take it back to direct rule.”

The Foyle MLA’s comments were welcomed by Sinn Fein chairman Mitchell McLaughlin, who predicted the DUP would talk to his party “sooner or later”.

However, the remarks caused a storm among unionists at Stormont, with Northern Ireland Unionist Party MLA Norman Boyd challenging the DUP to expel Mr Hay.

Within hours of the DUP assembly man’s comments on RTE radio, his party leader Ian Paisley insisted: “The comments as reported to me do not reflect party policy and far too much is being read into their meaning anyway.”

Former Stormont Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey said DUP supporters wanted to know if any of their leadership supported Mr Hay’s view.

The south Belfast MLA asked: “Have we got two parties masquerading under one banner that is looking frayed and a bit weary?

“What this public spat tells us is that the DUP is now grappling with a split in the ranks.

“For the first time, that division is now clear for all to see.

“And for the first time, we see a DUP assembly man agreeing that under the leadership of David Trimble, the Ulster Unionist Party was right in the approach it adopted throughout this process.”