Senior unionist politicians have voiced their disquiet over the reported demise of the Royal Irish Regiment, with some claiming it as confirmation of the existence of an agenda at higher levels to disband the regiment.
Hardline Ulster Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said news of the report on the disbandment of the RIR confirmed what he had been warning against for weeks.
"There is an agenda at the highest levels to downsize and even disband thehome battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment," the Lagan Valley MP said.
"I believe this decision is motivated by political expediency and I have nodoubt it is designed as a sop to republicans.
"There are also those within the military establishment who see the RoyalIrish as expendable in the context of reducing the army's presence in NorthernIreland.
"Any attempt to downsize or disband the Home Battalions of the Royal Irishwill be vigorously opposed and the Government should not underestimate theopposition to this plan in the wider community, particularly unionist."
Senior Ulster Unionist Party representative Michael McGimpsey demandedurgent clarification from the Government.
"If this report is accurate, it smacks at the Government putting the cartbefore the horse. According to the Secretary of State, implementation would beconsistent with 'acts of completion'," he said.
"There are no 'acts of completion'. We're not even off first base, andapparently the Government is contemplating lowering the defences.
"We need to know what the real situation is. Without the IRA making astatement that the conflict is over and getting rid of the arms dumps, therecan't be any normalisation.
"This is the type of nonsense that generates unease within the unionistcommunity and gives succour to loyalist paramilitaries.
"What the Government must realise is that the final guarantee for theunionist community, especially in rural areas, is the Home Service Battalions,"he added.
PA
