‘End the silence’

Calling on Dolores Kelly to end the SDLP’s “culture of silence” on the matter, David Simpson said: “The direct role played by the Dublin government in the formation, financing, training, arming and shielding of the provisional IRA, and hence its direct role in the murder of many hundreds of UK citizens is something that has been raised both at Westminster and at the Northern Ireland Assembly.”

Up to now , he said the SDLP had been quiet on the matter: “This culture of silence runs contrary to the line taken by the SDLP when it comes to the UK government.

“For when it comes to the UK government the SDLP has adopted an official public line that where there are allegations of state involvement in Troubles-related incidents then that sets those incidents apart and requires that they be treated separately.

“It is very regrettable that the SDLP has adopted a double standard when it comes to the Dublin government.”

“I would invite Dolores to call on Enda Kenny to step forward, acknowledge the complicity of Dublin and as the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic offer and official apology for that direct role.”