A charge of complacency
Assembly proceedings began today with statements of condemnation from all sides for the Newry courthouse bomb. With the dissidents not represented in the chamber these sessions have something of the aspect of "put me down for the usual", the phrase an old Northern Ireland MP was reputed to use to newspaper copy takers when another attack occurred in his constituency.
That said, the Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy accused the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State of being complacent about the dissident threat - a charge they would no doubt deny. Shaun Woodward by contrast seemed to be turning the focus more on to Mr Kennedy's UUP and the SDLP when he responded to the bomb by calling for a unanimous vote in favour of devolution of justice on March 9th. The TUV, in turn, called the logic of that argument "perverted".
Amidst the political expressions of anger there's a huge amount of relief that there were no casualties last night. I'm not convinced the bombing will change the policies of the various parties towards the deal - the UUP continue to appear less than impressed with the deal.
My colleague Stephen Walker has compiled a list of 17 agreed UUP nominees for the Westminster election. The missing seat is, of course, North Down. A selection meeting is expected to be held there on Friday March 5th.
Here are the 17
North Antrim - Robin Swann
South Antrim - Adrian Watson
East Antrim- Rodney McCune
North Belfast - Fred Cobain
West Belfast - Bill Manwaring
South Belfast - Paula Bradshaw
East Belfast - Trevor Ringland
Strangford - Mike Nesbitt
South Down - John McAllister
Lagan Valley - Daphne Trimble
Upper Bann - Harry Hamilton
Newry and Armagh - Danny Kennedy
Fermanagh and South Tyrone - Tom Elliot
Mid Ulster - Sandra Overend
West Tyrone - Ross Hussey
Foyle - David Harding
East Londonderry - Lesley McAuley
They don't become candidates until they are ratified by a Joint Conservative and Unionist Committee - there is still no sign of when this will convene. A UUP Executive had been due to meet tomorrow to sign off on a final list, but although it may meet, given the North Down arrangements, it's clear that such a final list will not be available.
If the joint committee approves Adrian Watson in South Antrim it will be interesting to see if creates any further waves over in London.
I'm 
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