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Special adviser bill passed after marathon Stormont debate Special adviser bill passed after marathon Stormont debate
(about 2 hours later)
The Northern Ireland Assembly has voted to bar anyone with a serious conviction from being a special political adviser (SPAD) at Stormont.The Northern Ireland Assembly has voted to bar anyone with a serious conviction from being a special political adviser (SPAD) at Stormont.
The Civil Service (special advisers) bill was passed after a marathon debate in the assembly.The Civil Service (special advisers) bill was passed after a marathon debate in the assembly.
The vote was 56 for, 28 against.The vote was 56 for, 28 against.
Sinn Fein and the Greens voted against the bill, and the SDLP abstained after earlier indicating that they would support a petition of concern that would have blocked the bill.
The bill was put forward by Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice party, after Sinn Fein appointed former IRA prisoner Mary McArdle as a special adviser.The bill was put forward by Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice party, after Sinn Fein appointed former IRA prisoner Mary McArdle as a special adviser.
Ms McArdle was convicted for her part in the murder of judge's daughter Mary Travers, whose sister, Ann, launched a campaign that inspired the bill.Ms McArdle was convicted for her part in the murder of judge's daughter Mary Travers, whose sister, Ann, launched a campaign that inspired the bill.
Ms McArdle was later moved from her post as an adviser to Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín.Ms McArdle was later moved from her post as an adviser to Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín.
Mr Allister said the bill was about "righting a great wrong". Mr Allister said after the vote: "She (Ann Travers) has done right and done well by her late sister and father, and we all owe her a great debt of gratitude."
He denied that the bill was vindictive. Ms Travers said: "I'm so pleased, and everything I've done has been for the memory of my beautiful sister Mary."
"It is not vindictive to say that serious criminals should not be employed out of the public purse in such pivotal, central roles. It would be unconscionable to say that they should be," he said. 'Anti-peace process'
Sinn Fein accused the SDLP of abandoning the Good Friday Agreement.
The SDLP said it would not block the bill after Ms Travers met the party leadership and asked them to reconsider.
Sinn Fein North Antrim MLA Daithí McKay 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."
Determined
Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, said: "We welcome the passing of the SPAD bill. We look forward to the implementation of 'Ann's Law'.
"I pay tribute to the focus, determination and courage of Ann Travers in the face of despicable abuse from some sections of Irish republicanism.
"She was determined that the memory of her sister Mary and others would live on. She has ensured that the voices of innocent victims will not be silenced.
"I also congratulate Jim Allister on introducing this bill and members from other parties on coming together to ensure its final passage through the assembly."
Under the legislation, special advisers who have been sentenced to more than five years in prison will be granted an appeal process.Under the legislation, special advisers who have been sentenced to more than five years in prison will be granted an appeal process.
This process would give victims a say and would require the former prisoner to show contrition and assist police in solving their crime.This process would give victims a say and would require the former prisoner to show contrition and assist police in solving their crime.