DUP News Update - 16th August

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DUP News Update - 16th August 2019

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Londonderry policing decisions challenged

The DUP delegation who met senior PSNI officers at Police Headquarters on Tuesday.

Following dissident republican attempts to exacerbate tensions in Londonderry and the police reaction to a band taking part in the Apprentice Boys parade last Saturday, Party representatives this week met with both the PSNI and the Apprentice Boys.

Speaking after the PSNI Meeting, Party Leader Arlene Foster MLA said,

‘‘The policing operation at the annual Apprentice Boys parade in Londonderry has generated significant and justifiable concern across the unionist community. Steps taken by the PSNI to surround Clyde Valley Flute Band during the parade and to later to detain the band bus for several hours were heavy-handed and disproportionate.

We welcomed the opportunity to challenge the PSNI on this operation and to compare their response with the seemingly negligible police presence at recent events glorifying terrorism, most prominently in Strabane. No one should be above the law but free speech should be protected and there cannot be different standards in police treatment of individuals and organisations from opposing communities or traditions.

The DUP believes firmly in law and order and we will continue to support the PSNI in tackling real and pressing threats to the public. However policing must be fair and even-handed and as elected representatives we will not shy away from holding the police to account or reflecting frustration and anger present in local communities. We would urge the Chief Constable and his senior command team learn lessons from the past week in order to address increasing frustration across the board.’’

Party representatives with members of the Apprentice Boys at Stormont on Wednesday

After the meeting with the Apprentice Boys, Gregory Campbell MP and Arlene Foster MLA said,

"We remain of the view that last week was not a good week for policing across Northern Ireland given the republican parade in Strabane and the provocative rhetoric delivered in the apparent absence of any police presence. This was followed by the decision of the PSNI to withdraw from a bonfire in the New Lodge under apparent pressure from republicans. On Saturday there were several dissident republican protests in Londonderry which did not come under the same police focus as one band taking part in the Apprentice Boys parade.

The actions of police in relation to such events must be justifiable in all cases so that the entire community can stand over and fully support what they do. All communities must be able to give their support to police and ensure there are no perceptions of differential action across different events.

We remain of the view that last week was not a good week for policing across Northern Ireland given the republican parade in Strabane and the provocative rhetoric delivered in the apparent absence of any police presence. This was followed by the decision of the PSNI to withdraw from a bonfire in the New Lodge under apparent pressure from republicans. On Saturday there were several dissident republican protests in Londonderry which did not come under the same police focus as one band taking part in the Apprentice Boys parade.

The actions of police in relation to such events must be justifiable in all cases so that the entire community can stand over and fully support what they do. All communities must be able to give their support to police and ensure there are no perceptions of differential action across different events."

50th anniversary of Operation Banner marked

Local students congratulated

DUP Education spokesperson Peter Weir has congratulated local students who received A-Level and AS Level results yesterday.

The Strangford MLA said, “Once again Northern Ireland students have performed very well, with 30% of entries achieving A or A* grades and outperformed counterparts across the rest of the UK. Grades in Northern Ireland have improved at a time when results have fallen elsewhere. Everyone who received results today should be very proud of their effort and commitment.

As they consider the future it is important that students consider all the options available and the different pathways open to them. Whilst the majority may be looking towards university, there are also opportunities within further education and apprenticeship schemes.

For all students, todays results only represent the start of a journey, not the final destination. For those unsure about how to proceed they should seek assistance from any of the options available.”

Mayor's praise for terrorists to face no confidence motion

DUP Group Leader on Causeway Coast & Glens Council Aarron Callan has said that comments from the Sinn Fein Mayor Sean Bateson means he is not able to represent the people of the Borough.

Cllr Callan will be tabling a motion of no confidence in the Mayor to be debated at the next meeting of the Council.

He said, “Cllr Bateson is supposed to be a Mayor representing citizens across the Borough, but his comments eulogising terrorists mean he cannot command the support of the Council. As such DUP Councillors will be putting forward a motion of no confidence in the Mayor to be debated at the next meeting of Council. I will also be submitting a complaint to the Local Government Commissioner for Standards in relation to the issue.

Thomas McElwee who Cllr Bateson eulogised was convicted and sentenced for the murder (later reduced to manslaughter) of an innocent woman in her clothes shop in Ballymena. It is Yvonne Dunlop who we should remember, not someone who deliberately went out to destroy her property and take her life.

Sean Bateson, like myself, was not alive during the hunger strikes or when the troubles were blighting Northern Ireland. Unfortunately he is only joining more senior Sinn Fein representatives who address parades, or dance in the street to celebrate IRA terrorists despite full knowledge of the impact their words and actions have on those who suffered at the hands of the Provisional IRA.

There is the opportunity for Cllr Bateson to recognise the mistake he has made and to retract the comments and act in a way that respects the office of Mayor and the citizens of our Borough. If he does not then we believe the only option is for Councillors to decide whether or not he commands the confidence of the Council.”

Dates for your Diary

Annual Party Conference - 25th & 26th October - Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaws Bridge Belfast.

For more information or to express interest in events where not otherwise indicated, please email [email protected]

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