Julian Robertson, a Northern Ireland Conservatives’ spokesperson, has described the executive parties’ attitude to the past as “an attempted abdication of responsibility”.
“Isn’t it just typical that, unable to agree a framework for dealing with the past, the parties are trying to shift the blame unto Owen Paterson? The secretary of state is quite right to resist their attempts to shirk responsibility.”
“This government has done a huge amount to deliver truth and justice for victims in Northern Ireland. David Cameron showed remarkable courage and leadership when he apologised for the UK’s role in Bloody Sunday and the coalition has announced the wide-ranging De Silva review into Pat Finucane’s murder. At the same time this government has stuck to the Conservative manifesto commitment not to launch any more expensive and open-ended inquiries.”
“Owen Paterson and his ministerial colleagues are delivering balance and leadership where the past is concerned. Yet, at the Stormont level, there is no consensus about how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles. That is an executive failure and, rather than attempt to abdicate responsibility, the parties should work harder to agree proposals on how to proceed.”