Paisley criticises Trimble at independent group's parade

The Independent Loyal Institution held its annual July 12th celebration in the north Antrim village of Rasharkin where an Orange…

The Independent Loyal Institution held its annual July 12th celebration in the north Antrim village of Rasharkin where an Orange Hall was attacked by arsonists on Saturday morning.

The independent institution was led in its devotions by the Rev Ian Paisley, the Democratic Unionist MP for the area.

Speaking about his recent success in the elections to the European Parliament, in which he topped the poll, Dr Paisley said: "It was the united Protestant vote that put the brakes on to Sinn Fein getting into government."

Mr Paisley condemned the early release of paramilitary prisoners and criticised the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, for placing his trust in the SDLP.

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He said: "One is quite amazed at the sort of guarantees Mr Trimble is now asking us to trust as the basis for assurance and confidence in Ulster's future within the UK. "The sole word of John Hume, the architect of the Hume/Adams talks which evolved into the agreement, is now for Mr Trimble the rock which we must trust for the future behaviour of the terrorists of IRA/Sinn Fein.

"Trimble in his desperation is prepared, on the bare word of John Hume, to erect the future government of Northern Ireland on the explosive cache of IRA/ Sinn Fein.

"That is the road of treachery no unionist with sense should dare to walk. . . Neither the Prime Minister nor Mr Hume nor Mr Trimble can be trusted.

"No terrorist can be in a democratic government, and no IRA terrorist can be in the government of Northern Ireland. That cannot be negotiated.

"Out, out, out is our answer," he said.

In his address, the imperial grand master, Brother George Dawson, announced the launch of the institution's new website, which he said would keep brethren around the world up to date.

He told the hundreds who had gathered that he did not trust the British Prime Minister.

Mr Dawson said: "I know there are those who have recently expressed their belief that the Prime Minister is going to do something good on behalf of Ulster.

"But I see no evidence whatsoever of the trustworthiness of the Prime Minister. He has a track record which speaks for itself.

"You will recall that before the referendum he came to Northern Ireland and made certain promises to the people.

"Over the last 12 months he has spent his time systematically backing away from and breaking each one of those promises."

Mr Dawson said he believed that if Sinn Fein entered government it would not leave it if no IRA weapons were handed over.

He called on unionists to walk away from the British and Irish governments' "way forward".