Full judicial inquiry needed on Stormontgate: Ford

12.00.00am GMT Sat 17th Dec 2005

Alliance Party Leader David Ford has called for a full judicial inquiry into the "Stormontgate" affair. He said that this was the only way to restore any public confidence in the political process.

David Ford stated: "The Alliance Party does not call for a full judicial inquiry lightly, but this situation has now descended beyond farce.

"We are in some mess when, in a dispute between the Government and Sinn Féin, many people are not trusting the Government to tell the truth.

"The Donaldson saga is illustrative of how far we still have to go. This matter goes well beyond a single criminal case and right to the heart of government.

"We need to be clear why the UK Government is making a series of concessions to Sinn Féin when, according to it, Sinn Féin cannot be trusted to adhere to normal democratic standards.

"It is time that ordinary citizens found out what, and whom, to believe. An independent inquiry is the only way to find this out. Anything less would completely remove any remaining public confidence in the political process."

ENDS