Everything Ulster - Election 2005

RECENTLY retired PSNI superintendent Barney Fitzpatrick is to stand against Sinn Fein's much publicised former RUC officer, Billy Leonard in Coleraine's Skerries ward in the forthcoming local elections in May.

Fitzpatrick says he is 'astounded' that an ex-colleague would represent a group that has murdered their former colleagues. He points out that the same group has hindered murder investigations (including the recent Robert McCartney case) and provided political cover for the IRA following the Northern Bank raid.

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The Alliance man enquires "If the RUC was good enough for him (Mr Leonard) to serve in, does he think Sinn Fein should sign up to the reformed PSNI, or will we get the usual excuses from Sinn Fein?" He recalls that Leonard used to 'work closely and positively with the Portstewart Community Forum' (a community/police liaison committee) until he switched to Sinn Fein from the SDLP, and asks if the self-same forum was suddenly no longer appropriate because he was now representing Sinn Fein.

Fitzpatrick went on to challenge Leonard on whether or not he will represent his constituents in Westminster if he is elected as MP for East Londonderry where he is also standing for election to Parliament. Unlike other Sinn Fein MPs, Leonard has already taken an oath of allegiance so it shouldn't be as big a problem taking it a second time.

Finally, Fitzpatrick has challenged Leonard to "state his position on law and order" and to clarify whether the Sinn Fein candidate believes the murder of his former colleagues was a crime.

Should Fitzpatrick choose to reply to these valid questions, it could make interesting reading. Of course it could equally likely just be the usual production line provo spin, but only time will tell - if Leonard decides to answer.

Source: Newsletter, 2nd April 2005 (Ex-Cops Faec Off At Poll' - front page & 'Former Top Cop to Grill Colleague Standing for SF' - page 8)