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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| SDLP 'will not block SPADs bill' | SDLP 'will not block SPADs bill' |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| The SDLP will not block a new law aimed at preventing some ex-prisoners holding posts as Stormont special advisers (SPADs), the party has confirmed. | The SDLP will not block a new law aimed at preventing some ex-prisoners holding posts as Stormont special advisers (SPADs), the party has confirmed. |
| SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell made the announcement at a news conference on Tuesday, when he confirmed they would not support a petition of concern. | SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell made the announcement at a news conference on Tuesday, when he confirmed they would not support a petition of concern. |
| It follows a plea by Ann Travers, the sister of an IRA murder victim. | It follows a plea by Ann Travers, the sister of an IRA murder victim. |
| The bill was introduced after Sinn Fein appointed Mary McArdle, who was convicted over the murder, as a SPAD. | The bill was introduced after Sinn Fein appointed Mary McArdle, who was convicted over the murder, as a SPAD. |
| Last week, the SDLP's Dominic Bradley told the BBC his party was considering supporting a petition of concern to stop the bill from becoming law, because SDLP amendments had not been accepted. | Last week, the SDLP's Dominic Bradley told the BBC his party was considering supporting a petition of concern to stop the bill from becoming law, because SDLP amendments had not been accepted. |
| The petition would have forced a cross-community vote and effectively blocked the bill. | The petition would have forced a cross-community vote and effectively blocked the bill. |
| Ms Travers met the SDLP leadership to ask them to reconsider and the party's former deputy leader, Seamus Mallon, also warned against the move. | Ms Travers met the SDLP leadership to ask them to reconsider and the party's former deputy leader, Seamus Mallon, also warned against the move. |
| At the press conference on Tuesday, Mr McDonnell said: "We will not be supporting a petition of concern. | At the press conference on Tuesday, Mr McDonnell said: "We will not be supporting a petition of concern. |
| "While we are deeply concerned about the flaws in the bill and our amendments have not been accepted, nevertheless we feel the victims' issue takes priority. | "While we are deeply concerned about the flaws in the bill and our amendments have not been accepted, nevertheless we feel the victims' issue takes priority. |
| "We have had lengthy discussions with a number of victims' groups and other parties. We believe that, going forward, there is a need for a much greater focus on victims' issues. | "We have had lengthy discussions with a number of victims' groups and other parties. We believe that, going forward, there is a need for a much greater focus on victims' issues. |
| "We will be taking the opportunity to ensure victims no longer remain in the shadows." | "We will be taking the opportunity to ensure victims no longer remain in the shadows." |
| 'Human courage' | |
| The law was proposed by TUV leader, Jim Allister, after Ms McArdle was appointed as an advisor to Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin two years ago. | The law was proposed by TUV leader, Jim Allister, after Ms McArdle was appointed as an advisor to Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin two years ago. |
| Mr Allister praised Ann Travers after the SDLP announcement. | Mr Allister praised Ann Travers after the SDLP announcement. |
| "It is a remarkable testimony to what human courage can do and achieve," he said. | "It is a remarkable testimony to what human courage can do and achieve," he said. |
| "My ambition for this law is that it might be referred to as Ann's Law." | "My ambition for this law is that it might be referred to as Ann's Law." |
| Mary Travers was shot dead by the IRA in Belfast in 1984. | Mary Travers was shot dead by the IRA in Belfast in 1984. |
| The Catholic schoolteacher was targeted as she walked out of Sunday Mass with her father, resident magistrate Tom Travers. | The Catholic schoolteacher was targeted as she walked out of Sunday Mass with her father, resident magistrate Tom Travers. |
| McArdle was sentenced to a life term for the murder and was released under the Good Friday Agreement. | McArdle was sentenced to a life term for the murder and was released under the Good Friday Agreement. |
| Ann Travers said she "was happy" the SDLP would not block the bill. | Ann Travers said she "was happy" the SDLP would not block the bill. |
| Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay said the SDLP decision "undermines the ethos of the Good Friday Agreement". | Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay said the SDLP decision "undermines the ethos of the Good Friday Agreement". |
| "This legislation is against the core principles which underpin the Good Friday Agreement which at its heart is the ethos of inclusivity and equality," he said. | "This legislation is against the core principles which underpin the Good Friday Agreement which at its heart is the ethos of inclusivity and equality," he said. |
| He added that the bill may be in contravention of European Convention of Human Rights and "if passed will no doubt result in further legal challenge". |