Unionist parties engage in pre-talks 'concessions' spat

The two main unionist parties have become embroiled in a 'concessions' spat ahead of tomorrow's negotiations at Leeds Castle.

Senior UUP representative Michael McGimpsey today called on the DUP to "come clean" on the concessions they are prepared to make during the talks – claiming that recent DUP statements have "suggested that they had signed up to a raft of concessions, including the joint declaration".

The former culture minister said that giving an inch in talks now would be a u-turn on their pledge to "end all concessions in November last year".

"According to recent DUP statements there are more concessions on the way, directly related to the joint declaration. Either they were lying in November or they have been incompetent. They cannot have it both ways," he said.

"We halted the deal, and my party did not sign up to the Joint Declaration. This is a matter of public record. The DUP started negotiations with a clean slate. By referring to the joint declaration it seems the DUP are secretly admitting to having signed up to it."

However, the DUP's Sammy Wilson hit back saying that under David Trimble the UUP has agreed to "despicable deals" – including the destruction of the RUC, the early release of terrorist prisoners and the setting up of unaccountable cross-border bodies.

He added: "It is a complete and utter lie to suggest that the UUP 'halted the deal'. The deal was done. All the Ulster Unionist Party did was stop the sequencing whenever they realised that they had got it all wrong. The serious concessions, including an amnesty for terrorists, massive demilitarisation and huge troop reductions, still remain in the system and have yet to come to life."

Mr Wilson went on to promise that the DUP would not sign up to the Joint Declaration.

(gmcg)