POLITICS: Answers on Paisley's record demanded by Allister

It may be understandable that as someone who now daily props up Sinn Fein rule Mervyn mightn't like to be reminded of remarks which as an Independent Orangeman he cheered at their 12th demonstration in Portrush on 12th July 2006, when Ian Paisley said: "No unionist who is a Unionist will go into partnership with IRA/Sinn Fein.

They are not fit to be in partnership with decent people. They are not fit to be in the government of Northern Ireland and it will be over our dead bodies if they ever get there". So I'm sorry if Mervyn takes offence at being reminded about where he and his party once stood - the very ground he villifies by his attacks on TUV.

As for his foolish attempts to suggest that I am unsuited to be the Member of Parliament for North Antrim because I cannot work with people I would suggest that he tell that to the Tax Payers Alliance which rated me as the best MEP in the whole of the UK.

And who exactly has Ian Paisley been working with in Parliament over the last five years? He hasn't even been there 82% of the time to work with anyone!

"Tellingly Mervyn Storey fails to address the issue of Dr Paisley's appalling Westminster record. Where was the outgoing MP for North Antrim when the vote for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty was held? Where was he when vital votes where held on abortion, the blasphemy laws, regional casinos and free speech amendments to "homophobic hatred" offences were tabled?

These are not petty point scoring matters but issues of fundamental importance. Yet Mr Storey fails to provide an answer.

So come on Mervyn. Don't just get angry, address the substance of the issue.

Is it acceptable to attend for just 18% of the votes when you are paid to do a fulltime job?

Yours etc.,

Jim Allister.