Normalisation process must take account of loyalist violence - Opik

8.51.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 2nd Aug 2005

Commenting on the publication of normalisation plans for Northern Ireland, Liberal Democrat Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Lembit Opik MP said:

"Whilst it is important that Northern Ireland moves forward and begins to have policing and army security measures more in line with the rest of the UK, this must only be done in the context of the community's security needs.

"The IRA statement of last week was very welcome, and I sincerely hope that its we see its promises reflected in the next IMC report. However, Northern Ireland is currently experiencing an increase in loyalist paramilitary violence.

"The murder of Stephen Paul on Saturday is the latest tragic attack in this recent upsurge, and I condemn it utterly.

"It is therefore important that the police has the appropriate back-up from the military to effectively deal with continuing loyalist violence."