If I were a Whitehall mandarin, I would consider how to deal with the unpleasant and inconvenient issue of ‘victims’ of the Troubles.

First rule of the Civil Service-do nothing and deny everything.

Second rule, if that doesn’t work-obfuscate

Third rule-promise something you know that you will never deliver.

Enter, stage left the “Victims Groups”.

Made up , sadly, of those who have survived attacks, been injured or bereaved.

Peace I-IV has brought these groups largesse.

The deal is that the money must be spent in a way that does not discommode the State. So no communists, revolutionaries or allegations of collusion. It’s OK to demand , ridiculously , that Joe O’Bloggs is extradited, even though there is no law to make it happen. It’s all welcome [for the Mandarin] bromide for the masses.

If an individual does point out the uselessness and absurdity of the ‘demands’ by these groups , someone , like Stephen Gault or Willie Frazer will stand up and accuse you of being a “Lundy”. Victims both themselves but also dupes.

Until the PUL community recognise Peace Money for what it is- a bribe to adhere to the GFA, then they will be royally fucked over by the State.

I can’t put it better than that.