Anger as SDLP leader admits hierarchy of victims in SPAD Bill debate

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

The SDLP has said its MLAs will not oppose the Bill even though they have criticised it as “flawed”.

SDLP LEADER Alasdair McDonnell has shocked and angered nationalists by telling the BBC Sunday Politics show that there is a hierarchy of victims killed or injured in the conflict in the North after partition.

The MP and MLA for South Belfast was giving the SDLP view on the controversial SPAD Bill to be voted on in the Assembly this week that will enshrine post-conflict discrimination in employment if it is passed.

The SPAD Bill bars ex-prisoners sentenced to five years or more from becoming special advisers to ministers – some of whom are ex-prisoners themselves – at Stormont.

The SDLP has said its MLAs will not oppose the Bill even though they have criticised it as “flawed”.

Widespread anger at the SDLP’s stance discriminating against thousands of ex-prisoners immediately evident on social media is certain to be fuelled by the SDLP leader’s statement.

Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey said SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell's statement is a slap in the face to the families of those killed through British state violence.

“In the past week we have witnessed Alasdair McDonnell move the SDLP lock, stock and barrel into the anti-Agreement rejectionist camp led by Jim Allister.

“The SDLP now unashamedly stand for discrimination against former political prisoners and have abandoned entirely the inclusivity principles which underpin the Good Friday Agreement and the political process.

“Now the SDLP leader has adopted the unionist position on victims. He stated that there should be a hierarchy of victims in place. This is a language victims’ families have heard for years from the British state and from unionist politicians. In reality it means victims of the British state either directly or through their pseudo gangs should be treated as second class. This is a very deliberate slap in the face to the families of those killed through British state violence.

"Alan Lundy was shot dead in my home. This SDLP position is retrospectively justifying his murder. If Alan had survived the attack the SPAD Bill would bar him from a job. In McDonnell's world, Alan Lundy is not a victim.

"This is a shameful position for the SDLP leader to adopt. As we predicted last week, the SPAD Bill position is the thin end of the wedge. Other SDLP MLAs now need to make their position clear, particularly those who have in the past stood with victims of British state violence and claimed to support them in their campaign for the truth.

"The first big test will come tomorrow in the Assembly. They have the choice to stay silent and endorse discrimination and second class citizenship, or they can join with us in defeating this anti-Agreement TUV agenda and stand for the political process and for the Good Friday Agreement.”