may i politely suggest another significant point which is being ignored by most pundits, as far as i know?
Sinn fein MPs in the westminster parliament have been stripped of their parliamentary allowances specifically becuas eof the Northern bank raid.
No due process. No charges. No evidence of a Sinn Fein connection. No trial. Just high-handed punishment, meted out by a Government which increasingly seems to want to take the law into its own dubious care - as opposed to the hands of the judicary. (see Anti terrorist Bill earlier this week)
A slippery slope, I fear.
What if it was YOUR group (minority, political party, activist group etc ) which had official sanctions imposed upon it - without a shred of evidence, charges or a fair hearing. And nobody seems to be making a fuss. THAT's the REAL cause for concern here, surely?
D