DUP attack Armstrong RIR comments

Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate for mid-Ulster, Billy Armstrong has called on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to give clear assurances about the role of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) in the event of the Republican movement undertaking ‘acts of completion’.

Mr Armstrong said his party's recent charter stated the belief that the Home Service RIR should be retained even "in a peaceful environment".

"The Home Service RIR has invaluable experience in security and anti-terrorist operations that could be utilised in a UK homeland security programme – protecting airports, ports, power stations, public buildings, other strategic targets, and the UK’s one land border.

"In light of the ongoing overseas commitments of many Regular and Territorial Army units – commitments only likely to increase because of the unstable international situation – the Home Service RIR should have a positive homeland security role in a future Northern Ireland in which the threat from republican and loyalist terrorism has disappeared."

However, Mr Armstrong's remarks where immediately seized upon by DUP representative, Harry Toan.

Mr Toan said the suggestion that the Home Battalions of the RIR should have a role in Homeland security was a "desperate attempt for the UUP to try to distance itself from the Joint Declaration".

"It is perfectly clear from the plans for troop reduction that are included in the Joint Declaration that the Home Battalions of the RIR face the axe," the East Belfast Assembly candidate said.

"The fact that Mr Armstrong feels he needs assurances from the Ministry of Defence belies the fact that even he knows that his party leader put them in jeopardy during the negotiations before the Joint Declaration."

In September, DUP Councillor, Sammy Wilson revealed that the government was planning to scrap the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment.

Mr Wilson claimed his party has seen Government documents which showed that the home service battalions will be disbanded in three phases between 2005 and 2008.

(MB)