Victims and survivors deserve answers over collusion – Dickson

Alliance Justice spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has said that there must be a thorough investigation into allegations of state collusion in paramilitary murders that were carried out during the Troubles. He also called for the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement which provided mechanisms to deal with the legacy of the past. He was speaking ahead of an Assembly debate on recent television programmes on allegations of collusion.

Stewart Dickson MLA said: “I am fully supportive of our Police and security services, and hold them in high regard; however if there are allegations of possible state involvement in paramilitary murders then there must be a thorough investigation.

“Nobody can be above the law. We must hold people to account for their actions and uphold the rule of law.

“Victims and survivors deserve our support, but more than that they deserve action to deliver truth and justice. The Alliance Party wholeheartedly supports the creation of the legacy institutions to deal with the past, as agreed in the Stormont House Agreement. However, the decision of the SDLP, Sinn Fein and the Green Party to block the welfare legislation has raised doubts over the implementation of these mechanisms.

“The Stormont House Agreement made progress in these areas and we must not throw it away now. Sinn Féin and the SDLP must be responsible parties of government and implement the Stormont House Agreement in full.”

ENDS