UUP leader Mike Nesbitt says DUP U-turn is a “victory for innocent victims”

ULSTER Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt has hailed the DUP’s embarrassing U-turn over the peace centre at the former Maze prison as a “victory for innocent victims”.

The announcement was made in a letter sent by DUP leader Peter Robinson from America to his MLAs and MPs.

The Strangford MLA said in a statement on Thursday: “I welcome the fact Peter Robinson has finally seen sense.

“This is a victory for innocent victims, who made their voices heard and it was an honour for the Ulster Unionist Party to represent their views. We look forward to doing so again, and again, not least in the forthcoming Haass talks.

“As to Mr Robinson’s ridiculous attempts to blame the Ulster Unionists, we will say nothing unless and until he acknowledges the role played at that time by his DUP colleague Edwin Poots, both as a member of the Maze Panel and as a Lisburn Councillor.

“Mr Robinson also fails to explain why he did not address what he clearly feels was a mess during the St Andrews negotiations.”