Il parlamentare di Strangford, David McNarry, vice direttore del comitato, ha partecipato al ricevimento a Hillsborough Castle perché il direttore del comitato, lo shinner Barry McElduff non si è presentato.
Il vice primo ministro Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein, ha rivelato di non aver partecipato all’evento perché organizzato dal governo inglese piuttosto che dall’Assemblea.
McNarry dice che è stato sbagliato, da parte dello Sinn Fein, obiettare sulle congratulazioni fatte dalla Regina ai giocatori quando la presidente d’Irlanda Mary McAleese, presente al ricevimento, visita frequentemente il Nordirlanda.
“Se fosse vero che lo Sinn Fein intendeva snobbare Sua Maestà, ciò riporta indietro i rapporti”, ha concluso il parlamentare unionista.
Tratto da News Letter
Call for SF to explain absence
AN Ulster Unionist Assemblyman has called on Sinn Fein to explain why he had to step in and represent Stormont’s Culture and Sport Committee during Thursday night’s reception for Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning rugby team.Strangford MLA David McNarry, who is deputy chairman of the committee, attended Hillsborough Castle because the committee’s Sinn Fein chairman, Barry McElduff, was unable to attend.
Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said that he did not attend the event because it was organised by the British Government, rather than by the Assembly.
Mr McNarry said it was wrong for Sinn Fein to object to the Queen congratulating the players when Irish President Mary McAleese, who also attended the function, is a frequent visitor to Northern Ireland.
“If it is true that Sinn Fein were snubbing Her Majesty, then that sets back relationships.”