SDLP allows passing of hardline unionist ‘SPAD Bill’ aimed at republican ex-prisoners

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

Gaffe-prone SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell had already angered nationalists by saying on the BBC Sunday Politics show that there is a 'hierarchy' and 'pecking order' of victims

THE SDLP has allowed the passing of the controversial Bill barring ex-prisoners sentenced to five years or more during the conflict from becoming special advisers to ministers at the power-sharing Executive at Stormont even though its leader described the legislation as “flawed”.

SDLP MLAs had, incredibly, refused to support a Petition of Concern by Sinn Féin that would have blocked the Bill.

The ‘SPAD Bill’ – tabled by hardline unionist Jim Allister (right), sole Assembly member of the reactionary Traditional Unionist Voice and implacable opponent of the Peace Process – was passed by 56 votes to 28.

The SDLP abstained, allowing what SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell had repeatedly called “flawed” to sail through.

The gaffe-prone leader had already angered nationalists by saying on the BBC Sunday Politics show that there is a “hierarchy” and “pecking order” of victims.

North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay believes the retrospective nature of the Bill is in contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights and open to a legal challenge.

He said:

“The SDLP today were led away from the Good Friday Agreement and onto the ground of discrimination and inequality by rejectionist unionist Jim Allister.

“They have sold out the Good Friday Agreement and the principles which underpin it. This legislation is discriminatory, sectarian and anti-Peace Process.

“It has set victim against victim as it has attempted to reinforce the hierarchy of victims that republicans and nationalists are all too well aware of. It is bad and flawed law.

“The clear message from the SDLP is that those who suffered at the hands of the British state are at the bottom of Alasdair McDonnell’s pecking order of victims. Today his party refused to meet victims of state violence. That position says it all.”