Statement by David Simpson (DUP) on the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report, (23 May 2011)

Statement by David Simpson, then Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP for Upper Bann, on the publication of the Report into the death of Rosemary Nelson, (23 May 2011)

" I note the publication of the findings of the inquiry in to the death of Rosemary Nelson. There is no evidence of state involvement in the death of Mrs. Nelson or attempts to obstruct the investigation in to her death. I also note that the cost of this exercise is projected to be in excess of £45million. It would seem as though, as has been the case in other inquiries of this nature, the biggest winners have not been those affected or the wider community but the lawyers.

In the past the government gave assurances that there were to be no more costly, open-ended inquires into past events. I trust that they will stand by their word on that front. As a community we can go in two directions: we can say there will be no more costly inquiries of this kind, or we can grant inquiries in to every single past event in Northern Ireland, where everyone, not just the army or the police will be made to give account for their actions.

What we cannot tolerate is a few high profile cases receiving lavish amounts of government largesse and attention, whilst victims of other incidents are left isolated or ignored. At this time my thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones and who have never received any government or media attention. In my own constituency 18 police officers were murdered by terrorists.

The DUP will continue to fight to ensure fairness and equality prevails and I urge the government to resist the calls for any further inquiries of this nature. They will achieve nothing other than to exacerbate the already strong sense of injustice that exists within the community at the disproportionate attention certain cases have received."