DUP Chief Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has rejected a declare by Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill that "there was no various" to IRA violence.
It's after Ms O'Neill, talking on the BBC's Purple Strains podcast, stated there was now "a substitute for battle" within the type of the Good Friday Settlement.
"My entire grownup life has been constructing the peace course of. I want the circumstances have been by no means right here that really led to battle," she added.
"The one method we're ever going to construct a greater future is definitely to know that it is OK to have a unique tackle the previous. My narrative is a really totally different one to somebody who's maybe misplaced a cherished one by the hands of republicans."
In response, Sir Jeffrey stated: ‘‘There was by no means a justification for violence.
"Even in Northern Eire’s darkest days the overwhelming majority of our individuals revered democracy, the rule of legislation and - the place they felt passionately a couple of specific trigger - took half in peaceable protest. Sinn Fein can fake there was no various however they're condemned by the details," he stated.
"Sooner or later Michelle O’Neill is talking about being a First Minister for everybody. The following she is outwardly standing over sectarian and cold-blooded atrocities like Enniskillen, La Mon and Kingsmill. The masks has properly and actually slipped."
There isn't a justification for the way the IRA focused Northern Eire residents who have been from all faiths and backgrounds and completely harmless, he added.
"They didn't stand in the way in which of the political trigger Sinn Fein nonetheless espouse at present, but they have been butchered by terrorists. No circumstances, of any day or era, justified this.
"Michelle O’Neill’s feedback don't match with assist for the rule of legislation. Homicide isn't justified.
"At St Andrew’s, Michelle O’Neill’s predecessors have been pressured to pledge their assist for the rule of legislation and policing, which underpin any democratic society. If the Sinn Fein management is real about restoring devolution and dealing for all communities, it's excessive time they absolutely honoured that dedication," he stated.
"This celebration will proceed to problem warped makes an attempt to justify the unjustifiable. There might be no rewriting of historical past and the reminiscence of harmless victims of terrorism mustn't ever be forgotten.’’