Menu
11/02/2010
Unionist Blasts Woodward's 'Neutrality'
Labour's 'neutrality' towards the Union will bolster the Ulster Unionist-Tory joint ticket at the ballot box, a UUP Assemblyman has claimed.
Tom Elliott (pictured) criticised Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward's "neutral broker" status during the Hillsborough negotiations, claiming it could jeopardise the UUP's support for the accord.
Speaking at the weekend, Mr Woodward said: "All of us have to be absolutely crystal clear that we are the unequivocal neutral broker, that there is no selfish interest for us in Northern Ireland."
Mr Elliott has called on the Secretary of State to retract his statement.
He said: "This Labour Government is not neutral when it comes to the Union with Scotland. Gordon Brown and many members of his cabinet have publicly declared their support for Scotland's place in the Union.
"The fact that Mr Woodward saw fit to make this statement at a very sensitive time in the political process cannot be overlooked. It certainly will be borne in mind as the UUP considers the outcome of the Hillsborough talks."
The NI Secretary's contrast directly with a speech given by Tory leader David Cameron two years ago.
Speaking at the 2008 Ulster Unionist Party conference Mr Cameron told delegates he had a "selfish, strategic interest" in Northern Ireland, supposedly censuring the 1993 Downing Street declaration.
Mr Elliott accused Mr Woodward of mounting a "highly partisan" bid to undermine the UUP and Conservative electoral alliance.
"Shaun Woodward's declaration that this Government is neutral on the Union both undermines confidence at this delicate time in the political process and gives pro-Union voters yet another reason to support Conservative and Ulster Unionist candidates at the forthcoming General Election," he said.
Last night a Northern Ireland Office spokesman rejected Mr Elliott's claims.
"The Secretary of State has never said that he doesn’t care if Northern Ireland remains in the Union or not," he said.
"The place of Northern Ireland in the UK is clearly set out in the Belfast Agreement."
(PR/BMcC)
Tom Elliott (pictured) criticised Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward's "neutral broker" status during the Hillsborough negotiations, claiming it could jeopardise the UUP's support for the accord.
Speaking at the weekend, Mr Woodward said: "All of us have to be absolutely crystal clear that we are the unequivocal neutral broker, that there is no selfish interest for us in Northern Ireland."
Mr Elliott has called on the Secretary of State to retract his statement.
He said: "This Labour Government is not neutral when it comes to the Union with Scotland. Gordon Brown and many members of his cabinet have publicly declared their support for Scotland's place in the Union.
"The fact that Mr Woodward saw fit to make this statement at a very sensitive time in the political process cannot be overlooked. It certainly will be borne in mind as the UUP considers the outcome of the Hillsborough talks."
The NI Secretary's contrast directly with a speech given by Tory leader David Cameron two years ago.
Speaking at the 2008 Ulster Unionist Party conference Mr Cameron told delegates he had a "selfish, strategic interest" in Northern Ireland, supposedly censuring the 1993 Downing Street declaration.
Mr Elliott accused Mr Woodward of mounting a "highly partisan" bid to undermine the UUP and Conservative electoral alliance.
"Shaun Woodward's declaration that this Government is neutral on the Union both undermines confidence at this delicate time in the political process and gives pro-Union voters yet another reason to support Conservative and Ulster Unionist candidates at the forthcoming General Election," he said.
Last night a Northern Ireland Office spokesman rejected Mr Elliott's claims.
"The Secretary of State has never said that he doesn’t care if Northern Ireland remains in the Union or not," he said.
"The place of Northern Ireland in the UK is clearly set out in the Belfast Agreement."
(PR/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 April 2024
PM's Failure To Apologise Over State Agents 'Indefensible' – SDLP
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's failure to apologise for the role successive governments played in running state agents involved in criminality including abduction, torture and murder has been described as "indefensible".
PM's Failure To Apologise Over State Agents 'Indefensible' – SDLP
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's failure to apologise for the role successive governments played in running state agents involved in criminality including abduction, torture and murder has been described as "indefensible".
15 February 2013
John McCallister Quits UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Basil McCrea and deputy leader John McCallister are to resign. The decisions are in protest at the UUP and DUP’s decision to back a joint candidate for the Mid Ulster by-election on 7 March. The seat has become open following the stepping-down of deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
John McCallister Quits UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Basil McCrea and deputy leader John McCallister are to resign. The decisions are in protest at the UUP and DUP’s decision to back a joint candidate for the Mid Ulster by-election on 7 March. The seat has become open following the stepping-down of deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
18 October 2010
UUP Military Cross Politician Mourned
Condolences have been expressed to the family circle of the late Captain Austin Ardill MC, an MP for Carrickfergus in the former Stormont Parliament. East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson was commenting on the sad news and said: "All who met with Austin were immediately struck by his sense of dignity, friendship and acute political awareness.
UUP Military Cross Politician Mourned
Condolences have been expressed to the family circle of the late Captain Austin Ardill MC, an MP for Carrickfergus in the former Stormont Parliament. East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson was commenting on the sad news and said: "All who met with Austin were immediately struck by his sense of dignity, friendship and acute political awareness.
24 June 2015
UUP Announce Two New Co-Optees
The UUP has announced two new co-optees to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Neil Somerville has been announced as Tom Elliott's replacement. Mr Somerville said: "It will be a privilege and an honour to serve the people of Fermanagh & South Tyrone in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
UUP Announce Two New Co-Optees
The UUP has announced two new co-optees to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Neil Somerville has been announced as Tom Elliott's replacement. Mr Somerville said: "It will be a privilege and an honour to serve the people of Fermanagh & South Tyrone in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
21 September 2006
UUP member defects to Tories
A senior member of the Ulster Unionist party has defected to the Conservatives, it has today emerged. James Leslie, a former junior minister at the Stormont Assembly, said that local politics had gone “stale” and only the Tories shared his ambitions.
UUP member defects to Tories
A senior member of the Ulster Unionist party has defected to the Conservatives, it has today emerged. James Leslie, a former junior minister at the Stormont Assembly, said that local politics had gone “stale” and only the Tories shared his ambitions.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A fine dry days weather with sunshine quite widespread, particularly from mid-morning. Temperatures best across southern districts. North to northwesy breezes occasionally freshening around the coasts. Maximum temperature 15 °C.Tonight:Most dry with good clear spells bringing a rural frost in the south for some. Cloudier around northern coasts where the odd light shower may develop. Northerly breezes persisting. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
