Paisley jnr hits out at Trimble prisoner remarks

DUP MLA for North Antrim, Ian Paisley jnr, has reacted angrily to UUP leader, David Trimble’s remarks regarding the early release programme for paramilitary prisoners.

Following yesterday's meeting with Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and Irish counterpart, Bertie Ahern, Mr Trimble said that the Northern Ireland Office "should examine on a case by case basis" whether members of a paramilitary organisation who have benefited from the early release programme should there be a negative report by the Independent Monitoring Commission.

However, Mr Paisley jnr said it was "a bit late" for Mr Trimble to make such a call. "David Trimble’s a bit late calling for terrorist prisoners to be put where they belong in prison," Mr Paisley said. "He was the man who signed, sold, supported and sustained the Belfast Agreement which flung the doors of the Maze wide open and allowed the perpetrators of some of the worst crimes imaginable out onto our streets."

Mr Paisley said the UUP leader was now adopting an original DUP policy. "The DUP were opposed to prisoner releases right from the start.

"David Trimble has a cheek to talk about putting prisoners back behind bars. Only six months ago, he was preparing to re-enter government alongside Sinn Fein/IRA as apart of a deal which included an amnesty for on the run terrorists. Does David Trimble expect us to believe that he has suddenly and completely out of character become a hard man?," he concluded.

Speaking after the Ulster Unionist Party's discussion with Mr Blair and Mr Ahern at Hillsborough Castle on Tuesday, Mr Trimble described the talks as "a very focused session".

However, he said there would have to be something done as a down side for paramilitary groups if they did not comply with the IMC.

"What we suggested to the Government is that, in the event of there being a negative report by the Independent Monitoring Commission on any paramilitary organisation, recognition of that organisation's ceasefire should be withdrawn," he added.

(MB)