Unionist Forum Criticised

Northern Ireland’s main non-unionist parties have criticised the unionist forum, set up by Peter Robinson and Mike Nesbitt, which met for the first time on Thursday.

The DUP and UUP leaders co-convened the forum as a means to tackle dissatisfaction within the loyalist and unionist communities over restrictions to the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall.

Mr Robinson and Mr Nesbitt are hoping the forum will provide an alternative to the violent protests and rioting which is so far thought to have caused £7m worth of damage to the Northern Ireland economy.

But non-unionist parties have criticised the apparent secrecy of the unionist forum.

Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson said politicians should be working on behalf of everybody.

"Somebody should remind Peter Robinson that he is the First Minister for Northern Ireland and not just the First Minister of Unionism," he said.

"Mike Nesbitt by co-chairing this group must admit that he has given up on his attempt to make the UUP appeal to all people and not just Unionists.

"This tribal form of politics will only further cement divisions and will not help deliver a shared future."

SDLP leader Alistair McDonnell said: "Issues of identity, flags, symbols, and emblems, political and cultural identity are best assessed resolved through an inclusive process.

"I am concerned that the character of the process the leaders of unionism are pursuing will lead to an uneven conversation, with outcomes that say to others on issues of flags, parades or other matters 'stand and deliver'. This is not a positive way to proceed."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s John O’Dowd said: "Unionists talking to themselves will not solve the problem of mutual respect for people’s national identity and culture.

"That can only come when representatives from the whole community sit down together. There needs to be an open discussion on how people’s Irishness and Britishness can be respected and valued.

"Unionism needs to face the reality that the North has changed and will continue to change. Any attempts to hark back to a one-sided past will only sow more confusion among unionists and loyalists."

(IT)