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Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for drawing the House’s attention to those significant remarks by the Secretary of State today. Is it not amazing that the Secretary of State can reveal that, in his estimation, Sinn Fein is more qualified for government—or is nearer to being qualified—than the UUP, with its formal links to the PUP? Who would have thought that that would happen? Reg Empey and the UUP will have to grapple with that issue. They have added considerable volatility to the situation, as we approach whatever deadline may be arriving. There will be no double standards from this party. We have made our position clear on the entry into government of parties associated with terrorism and violence. I would have hoped that having made an issue of IRA decommissioning, Reg Empey would have taken that same position consistently, but sadly those hopes have been dashed.