Responding to comments made by the DUP’s Nigel Dodds and Arlene Foster today Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey said:

“This is transparent distraction by the DUP who are attempting to wash their hands on this issue and talk about anything rather than their reckless Brexit agenda.

“The banners erected by hooded loyalists targeting John Finucane and his family are clearly aimed to help the DUP candidate.

“All parties should unite in calling for these banners to be removed and on those responsible to desist.

“The DUP’s relationship with loyalist paramilitaries exposes entirely their hypocrisy and their selective attitude to violence and sectarianism. 

“There is no single and agreed narrative to the past and Sinn Féin is not interested in refighting the battles of the past. 

“Our party has had members killed including our vice-president Máire Drumm who was murdered in her hospital bed.

“There is a responsibility on all political leaders to engage fully in the efforts to build the peace and the process of reconciliation and healing by implementing the mechanisms agreed at Stormont House to support victims and their rights to truth and justice.”