Latest:

00:22 Two rebel groups merge in Mali
00:22 Saltire Games ban 'ridiculous'
00:22 Food industry experience offered
00:22 Scott: Sci fi is getting worn out
00:22 Another Eurovision disaster for UK
00:22 Kinsey: Mindy Kaling is brilliant
00:21 Another Eurovision disaster for UK
00:21 Buzz of fatherhood for comic Frank

Government trying to buy off DUP: Kelly

Saturday, 31 October 2009

Gerry Kelly

enlarge

The Government last night sparked a row over the devolution of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland after a letter outlining a side deal with the DUP was accidentally sent to Sinn Fein.

Republicans produced a letter signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and addressed to DUP leader Peter Robinson offering £20 million to former part-time police officers.

Sinn Fein branded it a bid to “buy off” DUP support for the devolution of the justice powers and claimed Government risked bringing the process into disrepute.

Republicans claimed the letter was sent, apparently mistakenly, to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister at Stormont where mail is accessed by both Sinn Fein and the DUP.

Sinn Fein junior minister Gerry Kelly said the effort to transfer policing and justice powers “is being brought into disrepute by the British Government's willingness to buy off the DUP”.

Print
Text Size
- Normal
- Large
- Extra Large

Gerry should do what de does best build a tunnel and dig from stormont becuase the dup is running rings around him

Posted by bb | 05.11.09, 14:14 GMT

Typical British government then.

Posted by andrew | 02.11.09, 12:41 GMT

Accidentally sent to Sinn Fein? I wonder. There shouldn't be private deals with parties. This is a disgrace. These fools are elected to govern to serve everyone not for private party goals.

Posted by Droopy | 31.10.09, 14:20 GMT

Why is Mr.Kelly surprised? After all it is Gordon Brown he is dealing with. Sinn Fein act like babes in the wood at times. They can be so naive. DUP are very aware of this and are running rings around them.
The letter in question was most probably leaked to them deliberately as the DUP are using every and any excuse to delay and/or stop devolution of Policing and Justice.
God help NI if devolution does come under the DUP jurisdiction. The six counties is their own personal domain, they would have us believe, and woe betide any party that thinks otherwise.

Posted by HC | 31.10.09, 13:31 GMT

when will this pandering to the DUP stop??

They gave committments they need to honour instead of this pathetic routine of stalling progress.

They may want to turn back the clock - but the simple fact is they cannot reverse the internationally binding agreements that now guide governance in the north.

Posted by ger | 31.10.09, 13:19 GMT