TUV calls for 
petition support

Upper Bann press officer David Calvert called on the entire unionist community opposed to the plan for a ‘Conflict Resolution Centre’ to sign the joint TUV/UUP/UKIP petition

He said: “We believe that the proximity of the politically toxic prison buildings will aid the glorification of terrorism. Moreover, we call for the prison buildings to be de-listed and demolished.

“In 2008 Nigel Dodds stated ‘however it is dressed up, whatever spin is deployed, the preservation of a section of the H-blocks – including the hospital wing – would become a shrine to the terrorists who committed suicide in the Maze in the 1980s. That would be obnoxious to the vast majority of people and is something unionist people cannot accept’. We still agree with what Nigel said even though some in the DUP have changed their mind.”

He went on: “So why have the DUP changed their mind? Loyalists cannot understand why the DUP are now following an anti-Unionist agenda. Local DUP MLAs and Councillors who support the retention of the prison buildings at the Maze must be condemned in the strongest terms. We also note that it will cost thousands of pounds to run such a Centre every year – a waste of tax payer’s money.

“This ridiculous plan, which has caused great offence to the true victims of terrorism, must be immediately halted and the prison buildings at the Maze be demolished. The DUP have the power to do this if they wish – they must listen to the voices of the people including victims, various Unionist and loyalist parties and the Orange Order. But will they?

The petition may be downloaded from the TUV website at www.tuv.org.uk.

The petition can be signed on-line at http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-a-terrorist-shrine-at-the-former-maze-prison-1