Other News In Brief

PM Accepts DUP Invite To Visit NI

Prime Minister Theresa May has accepted a DUP invitation to visit Northern Ireland.

Welcoming her acceptance of the invitation, which was confirmed during prime Ministers Questions, DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds, said: "The DUP invited the Prime Minister to visit Northern Ireland once again and I welcome the confirmation today that she will be taking up that invitation in the next few weeks.

"It will be an opportunity to reinforce the message that Northern Ireland's place as part of the United Kingdom remains a core value of the PM. That is more important than ever given the decision by republicans to try to use Brexit to break up the UK.

"The Prime Minister has been fully engaged on the issues impacting Northern Ireland, both in terms of our exit from the European Union and the block placed on a restoration of devolution by one party namely Sinn Fein.

"Northern Ireland cannot continue in a vacuum. The Prime Minister's visit will be a chance to reinforce the message that decisions must be taken in relation to our hospitals, schools and infrastructure. The imposition of red-lines on the return of devolution is impacting upon everyone who lives here."

Belfast Orangefest Launch Campaign To Encourage 'Responsible And Respectful Behaviour'

Belfast Orangefest has launched its latest campaign to encourage responsible and respectful behaviour around the Twelfth of July celebrations in the capital city.

The initiative seeks to build on recent success in reducing the public consumption of alcohol and encouraging moderation.

Posters promoting the 'It's about the Battles not the Bottle' will appear on buses and various billboards across Belfast in the run up to next month's Twelfth.

Grand Master of the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast, Spencer Beattie, said: "This is the third consecutive year of our alcohol awareness campaign which has been well received by those attending our annual Twelfth demonstration, and wider society. We look forward to building further on such notable progress.

"Our key message again to those enjoying the festivities is, if drinking, do so in moderation. Given the theme of this year's campaign, it is important to remember as well as celebrating we are also commemorating."

Mr Beattie added: "We want everyone to enjoy the Twelfth, both those parading and spectating. I would ask everyone to remember it's about the Battles not the Bottle."

Given the Armistice centenary later this year, the 2018 campaign aims to highlight the various battles during the First World War, in which over 200,000 Orangemen served across the world. They include the Somme, Gallipoli, Loos, Jutland, Vimy, Messines and Ypres.

DUP Involvement In LGBT Event 'Deplorable' – TUV

The DUP's involvement in an LGBT event taking place at Stormont today has been described deplorable by the TUV.

TUV leader Jim Allister, said: "Considering the deep and lasting hurt caused to many in the Christian community by the LGBT's relentless pursuit of Ashers Bakery and assault on the definition of marriage, I deplore the actions today of Arlene Foster in attending the LGBT-lauding event at Stormont and its part sponsorship by a DUP MLA.

"Mrs Foster's choice, on behalf of her whole party, to prioritise the pursuit of political choreography, so as to ease her path back into talks with Sinn Fein on restoring the failed Stormont institutions, is as calculated as it is wrong.

"I know many in her own party are uneasy about this series of Sinn Fein-placating 'initiatives', but unless they publicly speak out, then, it is being done, and seen to be done, in their name."

(MH)