Sinn Fein accused of collapsing the Northern Ireland Assembly and forcing snap elections to put more ‘soldiers in the dock’
Furious DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said his nationalist rivals were trying to “re-write” the past
THE NORTHERN Ireland powersharing deal has collapsed because Sinn Fein wants to put more British “soldiers in the dock” - it was claimed today.
Furious DUP leader Nigel Dodds said the Nationalists had forced snap elections because it was “seeking opportune political advantage”.
And he stormed: “Sinn Fein [is] seeking to gain a list of concessions from the Government on legacy issues such as re-writing the past and putting more soldiers and policemen in the dock.”
Two ex-paratroopers were told in December they were being prosecuted for murder over the killing of an IRA commander in the province more than 40 years ago –sparking uproar.
Ministers have since tried to reassure voters there will be no ‘witch hunt’.
The Northern Ireland legal chief leading investigations Army – Barra McGrory - was accused of “supporting” Sinn Fein by a former Tory Minister using Parliamentary privilege in the House of Commons.
Sinn Fein failed to immediately respond. While they have elected MPs, they refuse to take their place in the Commons.
Sir Gerald Howarth claimed a notice issued to the media warning against questioning the impartiality of prosecutors amounted to an attempt to “muzzle” Parliament.
The Stormont Assembly collapsed on Monday when Sinn Fein declined to nominate a replacement for Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister.
The move forced Secretary of State James Brokenshire to call snap elections for March 2.