Ulster Unionist MLA Mike Nesbitt is calling on the Alliance Party’s North Down MP Stephen Farry, to apologise and withdraw his outrageous comment made on BBC Radio this morning that unionism has created a ‘grievance factory.’
Mike Nesbitt said:
“Mr Farry is wrong on all sorts of levels. Firstly, he is wrong to dismiss unionist concerns about the Ireland / Northern Ireland Protocol. If he was able to walk a mile in a unionist’s shoes, he would understand the sense of betrayal unionism feels about the Prime Minister cutting this deal with the EU. Rather than poking unionism unnecessarily with such inflammatory language, he might consider a more empathetic approach.
“Secondly, his choice of words drive a coach and horses through the Declaration of Support which is front and centre of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement. That Declaration commits people like Mr Farry to being tolerant of others, work towards reconciliation within our community, showing respect for others and building mutual trust. Accusing unionism of creating a ‘grievance factory’ fails all four of those tests, spectacularly.
“What is said is said and will be noted by unionists. If Mr Farry is serious about upholding the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, he should withdraw and apologise.”