13/08/2018
DUP Leadership Questioned Over Support For Ian Paisley Event
Sinn Féin has called on the DUP leadership to clarify whether they endorse a support event for suspended MP Ian Paisley, which is due to take place tonight, Monday 13 August.
Sinn Féin North Antrim MLA, Philip McGuigan, was speaking after DUP councillor John Finlay organised the meeting to show support for Ian Paisley, who is also expected to attend the event.
Mr McGuigan said: "Ian Paisley has been suspended from both Westminster and his own party over his links to the Sri Lankan regime.
"Such is the severity of his actions in lobbying to prevent a UN investigation of Sri Lankan war crimes after having received lavish holidays from that regime, that he has been given the strongest sanction handed down to any MP in 70 years.
"Despite this, the DUP leadership still remain silent on his actions. They refuse to say how long he is suspended for, or to give any details of the investigation they have announced into his conduct.
"They have also refused to say whether he will be endorsed as a DUP candidate in a North-Antrim by-election if the recall petition to unseat him is successful.
"Now we learn that a support event is to take place locally and again the DUP leadership have not said if this is done with their approval. Do any DUP members, including Ian Paisley as a suspended member, have the party's endorsement to attend this event?
"Every day that this saga continues, the questions mount for the DUP leadership and they show huge disrespect for the electorate in North Antrim by refusing to answer them."
(MH/CM)
Sinn Féin North Antrim MLA, Philip McGuigan, was speaking after DUP councillor John Finlay organised the meeting to show support for Ian Paisley, who is also expected to attend the event.
Mr McGuigan said: "Ian Paisley has been suspended from both Westminster and his own party over his links to the Sri Lankan regime.
"Such is the severity of his actions in lobbying to prevent a UN investigation of Sri Lankan war crimes after having received lavish holidays from that regime, that he has been given the strongest sanction handed down to any MP in 70 years.
"Despite this, the DUP leadership still remain silent on his actions. They refuse to say how long he is suspended for, or to give any details of the investigation they have announced into his conduct.
"They have also refused to say whether he will be endorsed as a DUP candidate in a North-Antrim by-election if the recall petition to unseat him is successful.
"Now we learn that a support event is to take place locally and again the DUP leadership have not said if this is done with their approval. Do any DUP members, including Ian Paisley as a suspended member, have the party's endorsement to attend this event?
"Every day that this saga continues, the questions mount for the DUP leadership and they show huge disrespect for the electorate in North Antrim by refusing to answer them."
(MH/CM)
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