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5 February 1996
NIO ``Double standards'' over protection
Sinn Fein Vice President Pat Doherty has hit out at ``the double standards being applied by the Northern Ireland Office in relation to the allocation of money for protection to political parties''.
Mr. Doherty said:
``It emerged at the weekend that the NIO has agreed to partly fund protection measures for two loyalist parties, the Ulster Democratic Party and the Progressive Unionist Party.
``In stark contrast the NIO has consistently denied Sinn Fein members the same right to access from funds to protect ourselves and our families. The fact that fourteen members of Sinn Fein have been killed, as well as family members, and that our offices have been shot at, bombed and had rockets fired at them, is of no interest or concern to the NIO.
``Indeed in recent weeks we have seen two republicans with booby-trap bombs placed under their cars and one who was seriously injured as a result.
``Despite the very obvious risk which republicans and our families must live under Patrick Mayhew refuses to provide us with the resources to protect ourselves.
``Sinn Fein will be seeking legal advice on this clear application of double standards by the British government''.
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