'Slap in face' for victims in EU funding refusal

The British government was today accused of delivering a slap in the face to the victims of Northern Ireland’s Troubles by refusing to allow them special access to European Union funds.

Democratic Unionist MEP Jim Allister condemned Northern Ireland Office minister Ian Pearson after he received a letter informing him that victims would not be given a special claim to the next tranche of EU Peace and Reconciliation Funds.