DUP Assembly Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Arlene Foster has reminded the public of the record of the Ulster Unionist Party over the issue of the devolution of Policing and Justice Powers to Stormont. Mrs. Foster said it was regrettable that over recent days, leading UUP members have been attempting to deceive the public over the matter in order to attack fellow-Unionists. Arlene Foster said:“At a time when the Leader of the DUP has been calling for closer co-operation and Unity amongst Unionists, it is very sad to see the Ulster Unionist Party attacking the DUP and attempting to deceive people. Do they not realise that Unionists want to see closer co-operation, not bitter back-biting? Unionists do not forget that the Ulster Unionist Party had agreed to devolve the Policing and Justice brief to Stormont by 2005, without so much as a commitment from Republicans to support the forces of law and order and the courts. Furthermore, during the deliberations of the Preparation for Government Committee in 2006, the Ulster Unionists, along with the SDLP and Sinn Fein wanted the ministerial brief included in the D’Hondt process – which would have meant a strong role for Sinn Fein in the running of the department. The DUP has stopped that from happening. One would have thought the UUP would welcome positive improvements on the mess created by David Trimble, but it seems not. I think that is regrettable.
Also during the discussions of the Preparation for Government Committee, the UUP representative accused the DUP of playing politics because we refused to commit to a date for the devolution of Policing and Justice Powers. The DUP position on the devolution of Policing and Justice Powers has not changed one iota: we know that ordinary Unionists demand more community confidence before these powers are devolved and they want Sinn Fein excluded from holding this ministry. Due to the hard work of the DUP there will not be a Sinn Fein Policing and Justice Minister. Our record is clear and consistent, which is more than can be said for those who are attempting to deceive people about their party position in order to justify their childish attacks on fellow-Unionists. I have no doubt that a majority of the Unionist community will be appalled by those who are engaging in such foolish behaviour.”