NI Conservatives have called on SF and the SDLP to re-consider their position on preventing the National Crime Agency setting up in Northern Ireland.
“There is a genuine concern that the NCA is having to fight against child abuse with one arm tied behind it’s back” claimed Mark Brotherston of NI Conservatives.
“In recent days we have learnt that the NCA – operating from GB – have arrested 14 suspected paedophiles in Northern Ireland during part of a massive UK-wide police operation”
“However experts like Jim Gamble, former Chief Executive CEOP (Child Protection and On Line Protection Centre)fear that this could be the tip of the iceberg. Surely, therefore, we need the NCA operating as fully and effectively as it is in GB?
“Are SF and SDLP willing to leave our children less protected than those in GB?”
Earlier in the year the SDLP signed a Petition of Concern put forward by Sinn Fein which prevented the NCA becoming fully operational in Northern Ireland.
“The challenge really falls to the SDLP. Are their nationalist mantras more important to you than the protection of our children?”
Brotherston claims it is well known many SDLP Assembly Members were unhappy with the Party’s stance and urged the SDLP Leader to allow a free vote on the issue.
“The SDLP is wrong to tie the NCA’s arm behind it’s back and it’s wrong to whip it’s MLAs on this issue. “