27 February 2001

---

SDLP Cowardice in the face of Unionist intransigence

Sinn Fein Chief Whip, West Belfast MLA Alex Maskey has accused the SDLP of cowardice in the face of Unionist intransigence after they refused to back an Assembly motion calling for an independent public inquiry into collusion between the RUC Special Branch, British Military Intelligence and Loyalist paramilitaries.

Mr Maskey said:

The SDLP showed a total lack of conviction in refusing to back calls for an independent public inquiry into collusion. Such cowardice in the face of Unionist bigotry demonstrates a lack of political backbone.

Nationalists may well ask why the SDLP is not fully supporting the call for a full independent public inquiry into the allegations of collusion between the RUC Special Branch, British Military Intelligence and Loyalist paramilitaries, and many will find it impossible to understand how the SDLP can play party politics with such an important issue and abstain on such a crucial vote.

---

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

---