The South Antrim MP said: "I read with disbelief the article from Councillor George Shiels about the important Westminster debate on '42'day detention and noted his accusation against my colleagues and I that we were "dragging heels" on security issues.

"I will take no lectures from George Shiels or his Ulster Unionist Party on security matters especially bearing in mind their record of destroying the RUCGC, the letting of hundreds of terrorists out of prison and assuring others they would never serve a day of their actual prison sentence under the Belfast Agreement.

"I appreciate the fact that since the last election whenever George needed DUP transfer votes to get elected to Magherafelt Council, he has become very disgruntled and miserable. However he ought to be a little more humble, remembering that only for myself and my DUP colleagues in Council there was a possibility that he could have been dismissed from local government politics.

"The DUP members of Magherafelt Council have been very patient with Councillor Shiels but I feel the time has come to let the public know that his recent vindictive statements has very much more to do with the Councillor himself than any political conviction.

"Unlike George I and my fellow 8 DUP MP's have proved we now have a vital role to play in Westminster politics and we intend to use our votes in the best interests of the United Kingdom as a whole and Northern Ireland in particular.

"Also unlike George I was able to represent the Province I love in several meetings with the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State, the Home Secretary, Shadow Home Secretary, Shadow Secretary of State as well as receive a briefing from the Intelligence Services and other security personnel.

"In regards to the issue of devolving policing and justice can I state that the DUP will decide the appropriate time for the Assembly to take on these responsibilities. We unlike the Ulster Unionists did secure that control in legislation and we will not be giving it up.

"The triple lock will remain in place until we are satisfied the time is right and there is sufficient confidence within the unionist community to have these powers devolved. That confidence is most certainly not there and unlike the Ulster Unionists there will be no race to appease and placate republicans on the issue.

"I understand that with only one Ulster Unionist MP at Westminster Councillor Sheils may have inflated ideas about his competence to interfere in national affairs however I feel that is best left to those who have gained the confidence of the community to speak on their behalf.

"Perhaps George would be best to speak to his own Party colleagues on the matter as Lady Hermon MP walked the lobby proudly with the DUP whilst some of her colleagues in the House of Lord's are to walk the streets of an English constituency in support of the opposite viewpoint.