Assembly clash over Price detention
Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey put forward a motion at Stormont on Monday calling for Justice Minister David Ford to review the conditions of her detainment in Maghaberry.
She has been held there since May 2011, when Owen Paterson revoked the Old Bailey bomber’s release from prison on licence.
Mr Ramsey said the move means dissident republicans will argue that the British government can override the local justice system at will.
He said: “These groups have been able to stoke a sense of injustice in the community, to use it for political gain and to seek to mobilise young people in their actions against the democratic will of the people.
“Those of us in elected office must do everything within our power to prevent dissidents from succeeding.
“Unfortunately however the actions of the secretary of state have unintentionally provided a recruiting tool for those individuals who are so intent on reigniting violence.”
Price was granted bail last May after being charged with supporting an illegal organisation – but she was not released because Secretary of State Owen Paterson made a separate decision to revoke her early release licence.
The 57-year-old, who along with her sister Dolours was jailed in 1973 for her role in a republican bombing campaign in London, was accused of holding a speech for a masked man at a dissident rally on Easter Sunday.
Unionist politicians reacted angrily to the motion.
Paul Givan of the DUP said: “Marian Price was convicted because of her part in an IRA bombing unit that was responsible for bombing the mainland, the Old Bailey being the most notorious one out of them all, and was given a life sentence in 1973.
“So that’s who we are talking about – not some little old lady who has been sent to prison because they stole a bag of peas out a shop.
“Let’s get real about what we are discussing in this chamber and why the SDLP are now wanting to act as proxy for the 32 Sovereign County movement is beyond me as to why they would want to do this.”
Before the debate started, Speaker Willie Hay warned members that they should not make any comments that would undermine ongoing legal proceedings involving Price.
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