4 October 2001

---

Sectarianism - Reid should act on UDA

Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew has said that she `doubts whether the British government's new legislation on sectarianism will have any significant effect'.

Ms Gildernew said:

``It seems to me that the moves to introduce legislation dealing with sectarianism has more to do with spin and hype surrounding the Labour Party conference than with any real desire to tackle this issue.

``This is the same British government which has cut funding to numerous community based projects tackling the issue of sectarianism at grass roots level. And it is this same British government, which has stood back and allowed the UDA to orchestrate and carry out a sectarian campaign against Catholics in recent weeks.

``It would be more appropriate for Mr. Reid to declare that he would deal with the UDA instead of steadfastly refusing to even declare that an organisation which has carried out a number of killings and over 250 gun and bomb attacks in recent times was not on ceasefire.''

---

Sinn Fein Press Office, 44 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Tel: +353-1-8726100 and +353-1-8726839   ·   Fax +353-1-8733074
E-mail: sinnfein@irlnet.com   ·   Website: http://www.sinnfein.org

---

Sinn Fein   ·   Sinn Fein Documents

---