Commenting the First Minister Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson MP said,
“Jim Allister tells us he is opposed to the devolution of policing and justice powers. This is a somersault on his previous position. As a DUP Party Officer he helped to write the 2007 DUP Assembly Manifesto which detailed that the party was in favour of the devolution of those powers.
That manifesto which Jim Allister co-authored said:
“....We support the devolution of policing and justice functions, we believe this can only happen when there is the necessary support within the community…We have ensured that we will determine when policing and justice functions are devolved and can block a Sinn Fein Minister from holding the post.”
- DUP Manifesto, 2007
In addition to writing a manifesto supporting the devolution of policing and justice, Mr. Allister travelled around Northern Ireland singing its praises and knocked doors asking people to vote for it.
He wrote it. He campaigned for it. He asked people to vote for it. Now he says he’s against it. What does that say about his principles? Jim, not the DUP, walked away. The sad reality is that Jim Allister will oppose anything the DUP delivers because it is the DUP that delivers it.
Jim Allister appears terrified by the prospect of the public having free access to the Hillsborough Castle Agreement. After all, if people sit down and read the agreement, they will see just how baseless the TUV allegations actually are.
It is grossly undemocratic of Jim Allister to seek to deny the people of Northern Ireland the right to access information that would enable them to make an informed decision. We are happy to listen to the views of the people. Jim Allister is trying to ensure that his is the only voice heard.”