Ulster Unionists criticise Richard Haass proposals after party meeting

The Ulster Unionists last night criticised the proposals put forward by Richard Haass after a party meeting in Belfast.

Following a party executive meeting late last night, the party said the Haass document was “not viable and therefore unacceptable”. It added tersely: “This Executive further calls on the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister to sort out the mess resulting from the process they initiated.”

This was a reference to the invitation extended to Dr Haass by Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness to intervene in Northern Ireland. The DUP has yet to declare their hand on what their response to the document will be.

Yesterday Dr Haass and Meghan O’Sullivan said their draft proposals on parades, flags and the legacy of the Troubles would greatly benefit Northern Ireland. They said their 40-page draft proposals, “would leave the people of Northern Ireland considerably better off than they are today by tackling the difficult issues that continue to divide society”.

They warned that their proposals were “not self-implementing”, adding that they needed “approval, resources and support” by people in Northern Ireland along with those “in Westminster and elsewhere”.