Farren Slams Hain’s Foolish
Praise Of Paisley
He said: “I can’t for the life of me spot a single courageous act that Ian Paisley has done in half a century of public life. For 40 years he has deliberately set out to sabotage any attempt at political progress and any inclination in unionism towards reconciliation. His name is a byword for hard-line intransigence and he has publicly exulted in this reputation.
“He has perfected the technique of warning of dire consequences, as he did before last year’s Whiterock Parade, and then washing his hands of the inevitable outcome.
“What courage did it take to stand with Ulster Resistance waving firearm certificates on a hillside? What courage did it take to do his jig of victory down the Garvaghy Road? What courage does it take now to sit blocking the road to a shared future while he extracts concession after concession out of the British government?
“But
it need not be like this. What is now needed is a very significant act of
courage by Ian Paisley and the whole DUP. He is uniquely placed to create the
basis for genuine partnership, and Peter Hain should have challenged him to do
so instead of heaping foolish praise on his head.”