Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt has described as 'petty and vindictive' the decision to block the Ulster Aviation Society from holding its annual Open Day event at the Maze.
Mr Nesbitt said:
“It is totally unacceptable that the Ulster Aviation Society should be made to suffer because of Sinn Fein bloody mindedness.
“This is an absolute disgrace and totally unacceptable. There is little point in Martin McGuinness travelling the world trying to drum up jobs, investment and tourism when his party is incapable of agreeing to an aviation society open day taking place.
“The UAS is a highly respected organisation which has done a great deal to preserve Northern Ireland’s historic involvement in the aircraft industry and air travel. Last year’s Open Day attracted 5,000 visitors and this year they had planned to hold two Open Days on the weekend of 23 and 24 August which were expected to attract 8,000 people.
“I know that the UAS applied to OFMdFM for permission to hold this event as far back as last autumn, but that Sinn Fein has refused to grant permission because it is not getting its way with regard to the establishment of a terrorist shrine at the Maze. These two issues are clearly totally unrelated.”