24 July 1997 Edition
Back issue: Sinn Féin ban?
Britain's colonial boss in the Six Counties, Tom King, has revealed that he is examining ways to ``shut out Sinn Féin''. His comments on Tuesday are seen as part of an effort to encourage loyalists into entering into discussions with the SDLP and to give up their disruption campaign in the North's 26 local councils.
Coming from the man who has responsibility for defending British interests in Ireland and has at his disposal an array of repressive powers comparable to any in South Africa and a military force which openly uses brutality and shoot-to-kill policies as part of its formidable arsenal, King's opinion of Sinn Féin will find little sympathy within the nationalist community in the North.
According to reports in the media, it appears the British are considering restrictions designed to exclude Sinn Féin from the councils rather than an outright ban.
Several proposals are apparently under active consideration, including one which would prevent anyone standing or election who supports ``violence or unlawful acts''. Another idea being mooted would involve prospective or successful candidates signing a declaration renouncing `violence'.
It is not clear how these would cope with unionist support for demonstrations which deliberately break the new public order legislation, or the refusal of unionists to pay rates, licence fees or car tax, not to mention `day of action' protests or cooperating with organisations like the UDA.
Coming from the man who has responsibility for defending British interests in Ireland and has at his disposal an array of repressive powers comparable to any in South Africa and a military force which openly uses brutality and shoot-to-kill policies as part of its formidable arsenal, King's opinion of Sinn Féin will find little sympathy within the nationalist community in the North.
According to reports in the media, it appears the British are considering restrictions designed to exclude Sinn Féin from the councils rather than an outright ban.
Several proposals are apparently under active consideration, including one which would prevent anyone standing or election who supports ``violence or unlawful acts''. Another idea being mooted would involve prospective or successful candidates signing a declaration renouncing `violence'.
It is not clear how these would cope with unionist support for demonstrations which deliberately break the new public order legislation, or the refusal of unionists to pay rates, licence fees or car tax, not to mention `day of action' protests or cooperating with organisations like the UDA.