TUV candidate speaks at meeting

TUV Lagan Valley Assembly candidate Lyle Rea conducted the election of office bearers at the Upper Bann Constituency Association last week.

After the meeting, Mr Rea addressed the members.

He said: “Sinn Fein has for years asserted that they have nothing whatsoever to do with the IRA and indeed that the IRA “has gone away you know”. TUV knew otherwise and we have been articulating that since the formation of the party.

“We have endured mockery, derision and verbal abuse from others within the political establishment for this stance, particularly the DUP who seemed to be in denial and not prepared to acknowledge their wrongheaded judgment. We all know the reasons for this denial as it has been demonstrated time and time again since 2007.

“To acknowledge any misjudgement on their part would have put their pay packets in jeopardy. The order of the day has been “make a show of opposing Sinn Fein/IRA” for the benefit of our supporters, but do a deal – any deal to cling on to power – no matter whether it is good for Unionism or not.

“TUV’s analysis and stance on the inextricable link between Sinn Fein and the IRA has been fully vindicated. The continued existence of the IRA has been confirmed by Her Majesty’s Government and not just by TUV press releases.”