Ulster Unionist Leader Mike Nesbitt MLA has asked what benefit junior minister Jennifer McCann gained from attendance at a three day conference hosted by the UK Government entitled ‘Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict’ in light of recent revelations by Mairia Cahill.
Mr Nesbitt, who chairs the Assembly’s OFMdFM committee, said:
“Many people might suggest that rather than heading off to London to attend Conferences on ending sexual violence in conflict, Sinn Fein ministers would be better served assisting those who have been abused by IRA members to bring the perpetrators before the courts.
“In June of this year London was the venue for a UK Government hosted three day ‘Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict’ which was chaired by the Foreign Secretary William Hague and the Special Envoy for the UNHCTR, Angelina Jolie.
“This event was attended by Jennifer McCann and Jonathan Bell, the two junior ministers in the OFMdFM and a delegation of local women from the Training for Women Network (TWN).
“Prior to attending Jennifer McCann was quoted in a Departmental press release as saying “This is the biggest global meeting on this issue and it is both beneficial and important that women from the north of Ireland are able to contribute and learn from other experiences.”
“It is a great pity that Jennifer McCann did not think to include Mairia Cahill as part of the OFMdFM sponsored delegation given that the junior Minister had been made aware of Mairia Cahill’s abuse by an IRA member as far back as 2005.
“Given the recent revelations about the about sexual abuse carried out by a number of IRA men, it is quite clear that that organisation and those who claim or claimed to speak for it, have questions to answer.
“I can understand why a former IRA prisoner like Jennifer McCann might be reluctant to highlight sexual crimes committed by IRA members - especially at an International Conference aimed at 'Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict' - but as Sinn Fein are normally the first people to demand truth from others, perhaps they should practice what they preach.”