SDLP accepts jobs discrimination against ex-prisoners in Special Advisers Bill

» Mark Moloney

Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay said the SDLP is going against the Good Friday Agreement and 'giving a green light for discrimination'

THE SDLP will not sign a Petition of Concern to block the Special Advisers Bill (SPAD) tabled by the hardline and sole Traditional Unionist Voice MLA in the Assembly which will discriminate against former political prisoners in employment.

The Bill, proposed by Jim Allister, will bar former political prisoners from working as special advisers (SPADs) to ministers in the Northern Assembly even though former prisoners serve as MLAs and ministers.

SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said the SDLP will not be supporting the Petition of Concern but it will not vote for the Bill either because it is “flawed”!

Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay said by not supporting the Petition of Concern the SDLP is going against the Good Friday Agreement and “giving a green light for discrimination”.

Belfast Deputy Mayor Tierna Cunningham described the decision as “another attack on equality”. She said it exposes the weakness of the SDLP.

Meanwhile, the Relatives for Justice group, which campaigns on behalf of victims of state violence, has revealed it called for the SDLP to support the Petition of Concern and to create a real discussion on issues for ALL victims. It described the SDLP decision as "a missed opportunity".