Patten anger over Trimble remark
From BELFAST TELEGRAPH September 10th, 1999
By Noel McAdam
CHRIS Patten has angrily hit back at First Minister David Trimble's description
of the RUC report as "the most shoddy piece of work." Mr Patten said: "I don't think anybody who looks at this piece of work is going to regard Mr Trimble's remark as fair or considered. And I think in retrospect he may rather regret that adjective." Mr Trimble said, however, the report did not argue its case and left important issues hanging in the air. The Ulster
Unionist leader said his party were particularly concerned about the proposals
to amalgamate Special Branch with criminal investigations. UUP security
spokesman Ken Maginnis said the proposals on amalgamating Special Branch
could prove to be very dangerous and have grave consequences. He said he
had been astonished that Mr Patten had not consulted the Chancellor on the
financial implications of the report. Restored party negotiator Jeffrey
Donaldson said that he did not believe the report would obtain the level
of public support it required and could be rejected in its entirety. |
