Statement by Government & Morals Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster on posthumous pardons for sodomites

The following statement has been posted on the FPC Government and Morals Blog site and sent to the Press.

Policing and Crime Bill: Legislative Consent Motion

On the 28th November, the above titled motion was brought before the floor of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The motion stated –
That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of a number of provisions within the Policing and Crime Bill, by amendment at Lords Committee and Lords Report stage, in so far as they related to UK maritime enforcement powers; UK cross-jurisdictional arrest powers; anonymity for victims of forced marriage and pardons for convictions of certain abolished offences.

The final part of this motion included “pardons for convictions of certain abolished offences” and was an amendment that had been introduced to the Policing and Crime Bill at the committee stage in the House of Lords by Lord Sharkey of the Liberal Democrats. This amendment appears to have been fast-tracked through the Justice Committee to be presented before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In light of this plan to posthumously pardon those convicted of homosexual offences the following statement was issued-

The shameful evidence of standing on the other side

Last Monday in Stormont politicians, including a number of professing Christians, and Free Presbyterians, refused to support Mr Jim Allister in his motion to stop the posthumous pardon for sodomites.

Here is the physical evidence of their refusal to offer any support. These are still frames taken from the film footage of the debate. They show Mr Allister standing at the front of the Assembly waiting for someone to come forward to act as a second 'Teller' so that a vote can take place.

Mr Allister stands for two and an half minutes waiting for another MLA to come forward. Numerous MLAs can be seen sitting on the unionist side of the chamber refusing to show any support for the motion.

Photo 1 - Mr Allister waiting at the front of the Assembly on another MLA to act as a 'Teller' so that his motion can be voted on. 

Photo 2 - MLAs at Stormont as Mr Allister waited for two and an half minutes

Shameful Silence by DUP Politicians at Stormont on Retrospective Pardons for Sodomites

In the day that thou stoodest on the other side… 
Obadiah verse 11

The Northern Ireland Assembly, on Monday, 28th November 2016, passed a motion, without a vote being necessary, granting a retrospective pardon to sodomites who have been previously convicted of criminal and immoral acts.

This motion to grant a retrospective pardon was brought before the Assembly by the Minister of Justice under a wider motion relating to the British Policing and Crime Bill, which was designed to give legislative consent to a law already passed at Westminster. 

This motion did not pass through the Executive, nor was it put out to any consultation. The tabling of the motion had been hastily agreed to by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister using emergency procedures.