The Ulster Unionist Party has expressed its deep disappointment that the Northern Ireland Civil Service is not following a precedent it itself established, to back the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games coming to Belfast.

In a letter published today the Head of the Civil Service has said that in the absence of a Ministerial direction, the Department for the Economy will not be in a position to fund the proposal that the games be held in Northern Ireland.

Mike Nesbitt MLA, Chair of the All Party Group on Sport and Recreation, said:

“This is very disappointing news indeed. When the bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup was at risk through the lack of an Executive, the then Head of the Civil Service, Malcolm McKibbin, suggested a workaround whereby the five main party leaders signed letters saying they endorsed the proposal and underwrote the finances. That’s all the Commonwealth Youth Games organisers were asking of Malcolm McKibbin’s successor. It is deeply disappointing that the response has been so negative. The games appear to be lost, with consequent international embarrassment.

“Hosting the games would have been entirely consistent with successive PfG commitments of attracting major international events.”

The Ulster Unionist Party’s Tourism spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA said:

“This decision is a very clear example of how operating without an Executive is failing the greater good. The event may not have guaranteed value for money as far as the civil service was concerned, but it would have guaranteed international exposure and positive press at home and abroad and what price do you put on that?

“All five main parties have already agreed to support this event and there is no question that had a local Minister been in place, he or she would have recognised the added value that an investment in the Commonwealth Youth Games would have created.”