Lord Lambasted Over Detention 'Slur'

The debate over the controversial House of Lord's vote on 42-day detention is heating up.

Robin Newton a DUP MLA for east Belfast, and a colleague of Lord Browne who will be taking part, has slammed remarks by UU peer, John Laird, (pictured)

"The remarks of Lord Laird, indicating his belief that "people needed to think calmly and rationally about this matter" are unduly insulting to Lady Hermon, who is legally qualified, and suggests that she has taken an irrational and unfounded decision," he said.

"This slighting of the North Down MP, at a time when many are hopeful of a united unionist position, gives encouragement to the enemies of democracy and sends all the wrong messages to the Ulster's unionist electorate," he said.

The Ulster Unionist MP for North Down, Lady Sylvia Hermon, joined with the DUP MPs last month when she supported changing the legislation on periods of detention in the House of Commons.

However, her party colleagues, Lord Laird, Lord Maginnis and Lord Rogan are taking a different stance, and will vote against the bill in the House of Lords.

See: Lords Debate Splits Unionism

(BMcC)