Sir, - Condemnation from Peter Robinson and Ian Paisley Jnr of Mo Mowlam's decision to talk to Loyalist prisoners is blatant hypocrisy.
Some years ago unionists with gun licences in paramilitary clothing were paraded in military formation for the cameras. Later a cross-border midnight "raid" on Clontibret was staged. What responsibility attaches to political leaders who organise such activities when some of their followers subsequently engage in armed activity?
For years Ian Paisley and the DUP have been inciting the unionist population with such activities and with warlike rhetoric. Having poured petrol on the flames, they then hypocritically condemn violence.
They should be constantly and forcefully reminded that they have probably incited many of the activities which created loyalist prisoners in the first place. - Yours, etc.,
From Peter Molloy
Haddington Park, Glenageary, Co Dublin.