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TUV member: I’m sorry for linking PSNI with Gestapo
Friday, 26 February 2010
A Traditional Unionist Voice councillor has apologised after comparing the PSNI to the most infamous secret police force in history.
Cecil Calvert told a meeting of Lisburn City Council on Tuesday that the PSNI was “just like the Gestapo”.
It is understood the former mayor harbours resentment towards the PSNI over its actions during contentious Orange parades in Stoneyford.
His remarks this week came as councillors discussed the night-time closure of Lisburn police station.
Members of Lisburn's District Policing Partnership claim District PSNI Commander Chief Superintendent Henry Irvine announced plans to close the police station at night first to the media before consulting them.
Mayor Allan Ewart asked Mr Calvert to withdraw the comment but he refused.
DUP councillor Paul Givan said: “To compare the PSNI with the Gestapo responsible for the murder of six million Jews in Nazi Germany is simply outrageous.”
Mr Givan said he would bring the matter up at next month’s council meeting and demand an apology.
The council has formally disassociated itself from his comments.
Ulster Unionist councillor Basil McCrea said although Mr Calvert's comments were “inappropriate” and were made during a “heated debate”, while Alliance councillor Trevor Lunn described the comments as “silly”.
Although Mr Calvert refused to retract the comment during the council meeting, he apologised yesterday.
“I regret that in the heat of the moment I made a wholly inappropriate comparison between the conduct of the PSNI and that of the Gestapo. I therefore wish to withdraw these comments,” he said.
“I do, of course, reserve the right to criticise the police and indeed the debate in which the remarks were made was one proposed by another party of no confidence in the local commander.”
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All right minded individuals will condemn this man's rhetoric. While it is clear that the RUC was a more bigoted and dangerous organization than the PSNI, even claims that the RUC were similar to the SS are a little exaggerated. Roll on the day when true peace comes to Ireland and the PSNI and the TUV are history .
Posted by John from Beal Feirsde | 28.02.10, 00:00 GMT
What an idiot. Although no one should be in the least bit shocked by this disgusting outburst by any member of the TUV. You only have to listen to the rantings of the Jim Allister to understand what makes members and supporters of the TUV tick. The TUV would love nothing better than to drag Northern Ireland back into war again. Fortunatley Mr Allister and the rest of the TUV will be consigned to the history books soon enough and as with all warmongers and despots will be remembered with the distain which he and his party deserve. Mr Calvert should resign his seat on Lisburn Council or even better be thrown out of the council. Mr Calvert has I am afraid let the mask slip and has shown his complete contempt for the heroic work of RUC and PSNI officers over the years and should be ashamed of himself. As an act of contrition and to further distance the council from these remarks the PSNI should be granted the freedom of the City of Lisburn.
Posted by Protestant Nationalist | 26.02.10, 23:29 GMT
This is not what Unionism is about. We're supposed to be united, and that means supporting our Police Service through this difficult time. TUV will never get my unionist vote.
Posted by Jerry | 26.02.10, 19:41 GMT
Cecil doesn't make it clear whether he's apologising to the PSNI or the Gestapo.
Posted by Sportinglisburn | 26.02.10, 16:53 GMT
Thanks Cecil for making my mind up about whether to vote for you and the dinosaurs of the TUV.
You showed your true colours.
Hope you enjoyed your time as a councillor.
Posted by Unionist Voter | 26.02.10, 13:21 GMT
Who do the TUV represent again?
Posted by Ulysses32 | 26.02.10, 10:32 GMT
Plank!
Posted by MiHe | 26.02.10, 09:20 GMT
Maybe we a will hear a little less from this traditional voice!
Posted by Pat | 26.02.10, 07:15 GMT
If this is the alternative unioniam that the TUV is offering then thanks but no thanks.
Condemnation of our Police and campaigns to free convicted, sectarian killers ensures that the party will appeal only to bigoted neanderthals and gormless backwoodsmen who have spent too much time duelling banjos and playing flutes out in the darker recesses of' Our Wee Pravince'.
Posted by ned | 26.02.10, 07:09 GMT