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Mon 12th April
She said: “The devolution of justice and policing powers is a significant step forward and is to be welcomed.
“We must not even look over our shoulders at those who would take us backwards, including the despicable bombers in Holywood last night.
“Today the DUP and Sinn Féin could have nominated their pre-agreed candidate and that would have been the end of it. Instead we have carve-up politics masquerading as community consent.
“Clearly they want to stretch out the ritual to give the appearance of allowing the Assembly to choose. Doing so, of course with an embedded DUP veto against any Nationalist.
“There is no person better placed to recognise an unjustified veto against anyone from a nationalist background assuming high office, than the SDLP nominee Alban Maginness. It was Alban who brushed aside the veto on anyone from a Nationalist background becoming mayor of Belfast. He served with great distinction in that office, working for all the people in our divided community.
“Now 13 years later, Northern Ireland’s largest party again finds it unacceptable to have a nationalist in office, this time as Justice Minister – despite the fact that the next ministry is the democratic entitlement of a nationalist party.
“So why is Alban Maginness unacceptable to the DUP? Could it be his legal training and long experience as a barrister? Could it be his outstanding public service as an elected representative? Or could it be the fact that he has always stood against violence and thuggery from whatever quarter – indeed more so than many of those who would exclude him now. Alban Maginness is supremely qualified for this Ministry and everyone here knows it.
“The DUP veto against Nationalists came from Sinn Féin and was made in Connolly House. Sinn Féin could not claim the position themselves so they made sure the SDLP couldn’t either. This is the same party that is currently bleating about nationalist unity so they can win sectarian headcounts in places like Fermanagh South Tyrone. In public Sinn Féin bleat about Nationalist unity but in private they plot with the DUP against the SDLP.
“The right thing to do here is the same as the right thing to do in Fermanagh South Tyrone – support the best candidate.
“Alban Maginness should be the first Justice Minister of our new dispensation.”
ENDS
12-04-10
Email
m.ritchie@sdlp.ie
Tel 028 4461 2882
Tel 028 90 42 1837
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