SPAD Bill Passed

The Bill to prevent anyone with a serious criminal conviction from being a special political adviser (SPAD) at Stormont has been passed through the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The decision was made following a lengthy debate in the Assembly yesterday.

The final results were 56 in favour and 28 against.

The Bill was originally put forward by TUV leader Jim Allister, in response to Sinn Féin's decision to appoint Mary McArdle as a special adviser in 2010.

Ms McArdle was convicted over the murder of judge's daughter Mary Travers.

Ms Travers' sister Ann launched a campaign and Ms McArdle was moved from her post as adviser to Culture and Arts Minister Carál Ní Chuilín.

The Bill will now mean Martin McGuinness's adviser, Paul Kavanagh, will lose his job. Mr Kavanagh was convicted for his part in two London bombings that claimed three lives.

Unionist and Alliance MLAs voted in favour, while Sinn Féin and the Greens voted against.

The SDLP abstained. The party had said last month it would table a petition of concern over certain aspects of the Bill; an act which would have blocked it. But the SDLP eventually decided not to table the petition.

Sinn Féin accused the SDLP of "abandoning" the Good Friday Agreement.

Daithí McKay, Sinn Féin North Antrim MLA, said: "The SDLP today were led away from the Good Agreement and onto the ground of discrimination and inequality by rejectionist unionist Jim Allister.

"They have sold out the Good Agreement and the principles which underpin it. This legislation is discriminatory, sectarian and anti-Peace Process. It has set victim against victim as it has attempted to reinforce the hierarchy of victims that republicans and nationalists are all too well aware of. It is bad and flawed law."

But SDLP leader Alistair McDonnell said: "For the SDLP, this Bill and this debate has always been about victims – all victims – victims of the IRA, Loyalist and State forces. This is not about discrimination against ex-prisoners despite scaremongering from Sinn Fein. This is not about a hierarchy of victims, as Sinn Fein has been spinning.

"People like Mary McArdle may be victims of the conflict but Mary McArdle had a choice – she has had the opportunity of moving on, enjoying her life and career. Mary Travers had no choice.

"Sinn Fein takes the same hierarchical approach to the past – calling for truth and accountability from everyone but themselves. Sinn Fein aggressively says their demands come first - the needs of everyone else come last."

(IT/CD)