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Haass talks: Ulster Unionists want supergrass cases to end | Haass talks: Ulster Unionists want supergrass cases to end |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The Ulster Unionist Party has said it wants the resources currently devoted to so-called "supergrass" cases to end. | The Ulster Unionist Party has said it wants the resources currently devoted to so-called "supergrass" cases to end. |
The party also wants all the cases of republican On The Runs who have received letters from the government to be re-opened and re-examined. | The party also wants all the cases of republican On The Runs who have received letters from the government to be re-opened and re-examined. |
The ideas are in the party's alternative proposals to the Haass talks blueprint. | The ideas are in the party's alternative proposals to the Haass talks blueprint. |
The Ulster Unionists have already made it clear they regard the Haass process as over. | The Ulster Unionists have already made it clear they regard the Haass process as over. |
The party will not attend any more leaders' meetings dealing with the Haass proposals. | The party will not attend any more leaders' meetings dealing with the Haass proposals. |
Negotiations chaired by Dr Richard Haass and Prof Meghan O'Sullivan broke up on 31 December without reaching consensus on their final blueprint. | Negotiations chaired by Dr Richard Haass and Prof Meghan O'Sullivan broke up on 31 December without reaching consensus on their final blueprint. |
The talks focused on the issue of flags, parades and the past. | The talks focused on the issue of flags, parades and the past. |
Now, in a 17-page document, the UUP has outlined a series of alternative ideas. | Now, in a 17-page document, the UUP has outlined a series of alternative ideas. |
On flags, it wants all government and council buildings to fly the union flag at least on designated days and on more occasions if there is political support. | On flags, it wants all government and council buildings to fly the union flag at least on designated days and on more occasions if there is political support. |
On parades, the party backs a voluntary rather than a compulsory code of conduct. | On parades, the party backs a voluntary rather than a compulsory code of conduct. |
The Ulster Unionists strongly criticise the Haass proposal for a new historical investigations unit which they view as an expensive unaccountable parallel police force. | The Ulster Unionists strongly criticise the Haass proposal for a new historical investigations unit which they view as an expensive unaccountable parallel police force. |
They want the controversial On The Run letters rescinded and the cases reopened, but they also argue that recent supergrass cases - which have caused consternation in loyalist circles - have been characterised by unreliable testimony and represent a waste of legal resources. | They want the controversial On The Run letters rescinded and the cases reopened, but they also argue that recent supergrass cases - which have caused consternation in loyalist circles - have been characterised by unreliable testimony and represent a waste of legal resources. |
Party leader Mike Nesbitt said: "We pulled out two Fridays ago, we've been working on our own proposals for some time. | |
"I don't think it is good politics to just say 'we are pulling out because we don't like what's happening'. | |
"If you're going to pull out because you don't like what's happening, say that's because we have a better set of ideas and these our ideas." |
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