Prison records call sparks outrage

Calls over prison records have been met with criticism

Fresh calls have been made for the prison records of republicans and loyalists in Northern Ireland to be wiped out.

Sinn Fein says holding these records prevents paramilitary prisoners released under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement from being reintegrated in their communities.

However, the proposals have been criticised by both unionists and nationalists.

Sinn Fein councillor Michael Ferguson said the records issue must be resolved.

"These records need to be scrapped," he said.

"We cannot tell thousands of people within our communities that they are going to be treated as second class citizens because of the failed politics of the last 30 years.

We want these discriminations removed so that we will have a level playing field and can get on with our lives. William Smith Former loyalist prisoner

"We are talking about all those who were in prison as a result of the conflict."

On the loyalist side, the demand is supported by the ex-prisoners project EPIC.

"We don't expect ex-prisoners to be allowed to join the police force but we do expect that our children can be allowed to join the police force so there is a difference," said William Smith, a former loyalist prisoner.

"We bear in mind the victims etc and we bear in mind the fact that we will not get 100% of what we want but we do want these discriminations removed so that we will have a level playing field and can get on with our lives."

However, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said he would be astonished if the government even contemplated the idea.

"If they were to contemplate this, the impact on public opinion would be incalculable," he said.

Sinn Fein is trying to create a hierarchy whereby those in the IRA are treated more favourably than others involved in human rights abuses Alban Maginness SDLP

Former nationalist SDLP Assembly member Alban Maginness accused Sinn Fein of "hypocrisy".

"Sinn Fein is trying to create a hierarchy whereby those in the IRA are treated more favourably than others involved in human rights abuses," the north Belfast councillor said.

"On the one hand they want the state to be exposed for human rights abuses. On the other, they want their own people to be applauded."