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06/01/2012
McDonnell Apologises Over Pay Comments
The leader of the SDLP party has been forced to apologise after his claim that MLAs should receive better pension provisions and small pay rises.
Comments made during a newspaper interview, by Alasdair McDonnell, have been criticised by his own party members including his deputy.
The new leader has now said he is sorry that his words, without explaining the wider context, caused offence to the public and party colleagues.
He acknowledged the party is committed to an MLA wage freeze and pledged to continue to fight the threats posed by job cuts and poverty.
Mr McDonnell had said that a more generous pension scheme was needed so that retired MLAs did not end up in poverty meanwhile he made a call for a small increase of salaries also.
Following this the SDLP leader was heavily criticised as the party policy was one of support for no rise in MLA wages.
(LB)
Comments made during a newspaper interview, by Alasdair McDonnell, have been criticised by his own party members including his deputy.
The new leader has now said he is sorry that his words, without explaining the wider context, caused offence to the public and party colleagues.
He acknowledged the party is committed to an MLA wage freeze and pledged to continue to fight the threats posed by job cuts and poverty.
Mr McDonnell had said that a more generous pension scheme was needed so that retired MLAs did not end up in poverty meanwhile he made a call for a small increase of salaries also.
Following this the SDLP leader was heavily criticised as the party policy was one of support for no rise in MLA wages.
(LB)
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