The Five Demands

DUP criticises Patterson’s arrest (UTV)

The DUP has criticised the arrest of Belfast councillor Ruth Patterson over what police have called “grossly offensive communications” – branding it “sensationalist”.

The arrest came a day after the former Belfast deputy mayor apologised for a post made on Facebook which appeared to support a fake loyalist massacre of senior Sinn Féin politicians.

A web page, which has since been removed, imagined a scenario in which paramilitaries would attack the Tyrone IRA Volunteers Commemoration on Sunday 11 August.

It listed Sinn Féin party president Gerry Adams and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness among the so-called ‘fatalities’.

Ms Patterson added a comment to the online conversation, saying: “We would have done a great service to Northern Ireland and the world getting rid of these evil, devious, scum like individuals.”

I unreservedly apologise for this lapse of judgement. I completely withdraw this flawed Facebook comment.

Ruth Patterson, DUP
On Friday morning, the PSNI confirmed that a 57-year-old woman had been detained by the Public Order Enquiry team over “grossly offensive communications” and other serious criminal offences.

The offences are said to be linked to intimidation and encouraging criminal acts.

The DUP has already distanced itself from the comments and confirmed that party officers will be looking at the issue.

“Ruth’s comment was completely unacceptable and not in keeping with the party’s policies or the standard of behaviour required of our members,” a statement said.

In her apology, Ms Patterson said she withdrew the comment which was a “lapse of judgement”.

Adding that it was completely incompatible with what was expected of her as an elected representative, she said: “Murder and terrorism can never be justified in any circumstances.”

The DUP has since issued a second statement, criticising the police for making the arrest.

“We fail to understand why the police chose to conduct a sensationalist arrest rather than contact Ruth and ask her to attend an Article 10 voluntary interview,” the statement read.

“This is a matter we will be raising with the Chief Constable.”

The Party Officers emphasised the unacceptable nature of these stupid and obnoxious comments and will conclude its own internal investigations.

DUP
The party also referred to what it perceives to be an imbalance in the legal system, highlighting an incident involving Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly and a PSNI Land Rover.

The statement claimed that, unlike Ms Patterson, he had yet to be arrested.

UTV understands that Mr Kelly was questioned by police over the incident at the Tour of the North parade in July, after he voluntarily attended a station.

The PSNI confirmed that a 60-year-old man had been interviewed by officers and that a report was to be forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service.

In response to the latest DUP statement, a Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “It’s ironic that a party who claim to be a party of law and order are criticising the PSNI for conducting an investigation …”