Long praises late leaders who tried to make peace

NAOMI Long has paid tribute to three late political leaders who “contributed in word and deed” to the Troubles but who ultimately sought peace.

The Alliance chief made the comments at the party’s annual conference yesterday.

She said Martin McGuinness, David Ervine and Ian Paisley “allowed progress to be made towards a brighter future”.

She added: “As someone who grew up in the 1970s and 80s, I am under no illusions as to the role of Martin McGuinness and the impact of the IRA campaign on our community.

VIOLENCE

“I did not and I will never seek either to diminish the wrong that was done or the grief that was caused nor in any way to justify the use of violence.

“It is not acceptable now and it was not acceptable then.

“I understand the anger which led many young people to turn to violence.

“Nevertheless, I still believe that choice was wrong, destructive and did more harm than good.”

Ahead of tomorrow’s deadline to restore the power sharing institutions, Mrs Long was also critical of the circumstances in which the Assembly was brought down.

She claimed a “whiff of corruption” in the political system was rapidly becoming a “stench”.

SPEECH Naomi Long