The father of a loyalist paramilitary murder victim has criticised unionist political representatives over their comments on the Robert McCartney murder.
Mr Raymond McCord launched a blistering attack on the two major unionist parties, accusing them of condemning the IRA killing yet ignoring the pain within their own community.
Mr McCord, whose son Raymond Jr, 22, was beaten to death and his body dumped in a north Belfast quarry in 1997, believes Special Branch blocked the police inquiry into the murder to protect high-ranking Ulster Volunteer Force informer.
A major investigation into his allegations is being carried out by Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan. But as Mr McCartney's five sisters and partner prepared for White House talks with President George Bush in their quest to bring the knife gang to justice, Mr McCord hit out at his own representatives.
He said: "Myself and other victims are absolutely disgusted over the stance the Democratic Unionists and Ulster Unionists have taken on Robert McCartney. "Why can't they look at things closer to home. They have failed the people who voted them in."
Mr McCord, who has spoken out against the UVF men he insists were behind the merciless attack, praised the McCartney family's tireless campaign. "I totally support what the sisters are doing, I went to visit them at their house, I've been on the phone to them, and I hope they get justice," he insisted.
"But why have people within unionism stayed silent on the murders of our sons. "The UVF has murdered something like 30 Protestant people since their so-called ceasefire."
Even Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has publicly called for the McCartney killers to come forward and give statements to Mrs O'Loan's office, he added.
"It seems to me that nationalist MPs have no qualms about fighting for their community but within unionism its the complete opposite. "The stance they have taken, and their hypocrisy, is staggering."
PA