Following the resignation of West Tyrone MP Barry McElduff, Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken, has called on Sinn Fein’s Northern Ireland leader Michelle O’Neill to take meaningful action against South Belfast MLA Martin O’Muilleoir who chose to retweet the video which caused such widespread offence. 

Steve Aiken MLA said:

“Now that Barry McElduff has finally done what he should have done more than a week ago, and announced his intention to step down as the MP for West Tyrone, attention must now turn to South Belfast MLA Martin O’Muilleoir who chose to retweet the appalling and offensive video.

“Barry McElduff yesterday referred to ‘the deep and unnecessary hurt that this video has caused to the families of the victims of Kingsmills.’  

“He has paid the price for his actions and has gone, yet his colleague Martin O’Muilleoir, who retweeted the video, has thus far escaped censure and indeed has been uncharacteristically quiet in the past week.

“I’m sure the public would like to know just how someone who once liked to style himself as being amongst the ‘bright side of the road people’ thought it was a good idea to retweet such an offensive video.

“Michelle O‘Neill must not think that the departure of Barry McElduff is the end of this matter. If she is remotely interested in ‘equality, rights and respect’ then she needs to take meaningful action against her South Belfast MLA. Barry McElduff has resigned over the video he created, so what punishment is being applied to Martin O’Muilleoir who chose to retweet it? A mere warning to be ‘more responsible’ on social media simply will not cut it.”