Reservists payment is 'buy-off' - SF
The Government has been accused by Sinn Fein of trying to "buy off" the DUP on policing devolution with a multi-million pounds payout to former RUC reservists.
Friday, 30 October 2009
A letter outlining a side deal with the DUP was accidentally sent to Sinn Fein.
The letter signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and addressed to Peter Robinson offers £20m 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.
'Disrepute'
Republicans claimed the letter was sent, apparently mistakenly, to the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister at Stormont where mail is accessed by both Sinn Fein and the DUP because they share the top political office.
Sinn Fein Junior Minister Gerry Kelly said:
"Yesterday I was given a letter from Gordon Brown to Peter Robinson indicating that the British government has decided to issue a gratuity payment of £20m to former members of the RUC Part Time Reserve.
"When Gordon Brown raised this issue with ourselves, Martin McGuinness told him that such a payment was wrong and unacceptable and was no part of the process to transfer powers on policing and justice."
He added: "The effort to transfer policing and justice powers is being brought into disrepute by the British government's willingness to buy off the DUP.
"At a time of economic downturn, and huge pressures on working families and the disadvantaged, this payment is a waste of taxpayers' money."
DUP leader Peter Robinson said Downing Street should be more careful about how it handles communications.
Mr Robinson added: "For clarity, it should be known that the Prime Minister's office sent my letter to OFMDFM not knowing that Sinn Fein would be snooping on my correspondence."
Mr Robinson said he planned to discuss the financial offer with former RUC reservists when the mechanics of how the cash would be allocated was decided.
"These men and women served our country with great dignity and dedication, indeed some reservists paid the ultimate sacrifice," Mr Robinson said.
Ross Hussey, chairman of the RUC George Cross Association Part Time Officers Welfare Group, welcomed news of the cash support.
The dispute over the devolution of the powers has threatened the stability of the power-sharing government at Stormont.
Mr Brown has offered the parties a financial package estimated to be worth more than £800m to fund the devolution process, but while Sinn Fein has accepted his offer, the DUP has yet to do so.
Democratic Unionist leader Mr Robinson has also called for the scrapping of the Parades Commission to help ease tension over marches ahead of the devolution of powers into the hands of local politicians.
© Press Association