Steve Aiken OBE MLA, Ulster Unionist Party Chief Whip, has stated that the Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio`s eulogy of Gerry Adams has caused further pain to the victims of IRA terrorism.

Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:

“The presentation of a proclamation to Gerry Adams by the Mayor of New York was a kick in the teeth for the victims of terrorism and brings shame on the office which he holds. His eulogy of Adams then rubbed their noses in the dirt and has caused further pain and hurt. The truth played little role in his oration and is instead an attempt to rewrite history. The fact that he tried to tie St Patrick`s Day into it is an insult to the law abiding majority on these islands who celebrate the day.

“It is hard to believe that the Mayor of New York City, a City which has suffered so grievously at the hands of terrorists could grovel at the feet of a man who continues to be an apologist for the terrorist death squads of the Provisional IRA and who was inextricably linked to the IRA and its murder campaign.

“I honestly thought the days had passed when we would see such nonsense from people like Bill de Blasio in positions of power within the United States, given the events of September 11 2001. Terrorism is terrorism no matter if it happens in New York or Northern Ireland. Clearly that is not the belief of the Mayor of New York. It is both shocking and sad that the Mayor of one the United States’ most iconic cities seems to be equivocal about terrorism. It sends out the wrong message on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Bill de Blasio has already heard from and will continue to hear from the victims of IRA terrorists and their families. I hope that he will show some humility and common decency and take up the opportunity to meet with the victims` families such as Austin Stack.

“We are equally disappointed that the Taoiseach, having earlier in the week been ‘reaching’ out to Unionists, had the perfect opportunity to expose the hypocrisy of Adams’ ‘canonisation’ and singularly failed to do so.”