DUP/TUV Council Agreement 'Worthless'

A co-opt agreement between DUP and TUV councillors in Craigavon has been described as "breath-taking arrogance" and "worthless", by Sinn Féin.

On Monday night Traditional Unionist Voice members allowed the DUP to co-opt a Ballymoney council seat without prompting a by-election.

According to TUV leader Jim Allister, (pictured) a "mutually advantageous" agreement was made that the DUP would not oppose a similar co-opt at Craigavon Council when TUV member Mark Russell stands down.

However, Sinn Féin's Mairead O’Dowd said it was arrogant for the Unionist parties to assume they could defer a by-election for the Craigavon seat.

"They have failed to grasp the reality that the decision is not in the gift of either party," she said.

"The reality is that unless all parties on Craigavon Council agree to such a co-option there will have to be a by-election, and at no stage have any of the parties involved in this worthless deal approached Sinn Féin to find out what our position would be."

Ms O'Dowd said out-going TUV councillor Mr Russell has allegedly voiced opposition to a Sinn Féin co-opt, which would allow MLA John O’Dowd to resign from the council.

She said a forced by-election would cost the ratepayer £25,000.

"The same Mark Russell now tells us that he will himself be co-opted off the council because the DUP and the TUV have a cosy deal which, quite frankly, is worthless," suggested Ms O'Dowd.

She said an arrangement covering all co-options on the council was needed.

"If the DUP and the TUV are sincere in their view that a by-election that would cost the rate payer £25,000 is unacceptable in the case of Councillor Russell, then the same applies to John O’Dowd’s co-option.

"The TUV cannot claim to be concerned about costs to rate payers and then insist on an election when they think it suits them," she added.

(PR/BMcc)