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25/05/2016
Claire Sugden Named NI Justice Minister
Independent unionist MLA Claire Sugden is to be NI's new Justice Minister.
Ms Sugden will take over from Alliance leader David Ford, who turned down the post.
She said the decision to take justice ministry was the most difficult of her life, however she was up for the challenge.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood condemned the decision by Sinn Fein and the DUP.
Mr Eastwood said: "The decision taken today by Sinn Fein will have consequences that are far-reaching for the Nationalist community. Once again Martin McGuinness allowed the DUP to dictate that the position would not go to a Nationalist. Martin may well claim to be in control but today's events once again show that because of Sinn Fein's weakness the DUP call the shots.
"Sinn Fein have failed at the first hurdle to stand up for the cross community protections enshrined by D'Hondt. That alone should dictate the allocation of Justice Minister. But together with the DUP, Sinn Fein have allowed the corruption of this process – it happened once before and today we see it happening again. It is clear that under this Executive, this is a position for which no Nationalist need apply."
(CD)
Ms Sugden will take over from Alliance leader David Ford, who turned down the post.
She said the decision to take justice ministry was the most difficult of her life, however she was up for the challenge.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood condemned the decision by Sinn Fein and the DUP.
Mr Eastwood said: "The decision taken today by Sinn Fein will have consequences that are far-reaching for the Nationalist community. Once again Martin McGuinness allowed the DUP to dictate that the position would not go to a Nationalist. Martin may well claim to be in control but today's events once again show that because of Sinn Fein's weakness the DUP call the shots.
"Sinn Fein have failed at the first hurdle to stand up for the cross community protections enshrined by D'Hondt. That alone should dictate the allocation of Justice Minister. But together with the DUP, Sinn Fein have allowed the corruption of this process – it happened once before and today we see it happening again. It is clear that under this Executive, this is a position for which no Nationalist need apply."
(CD)
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