MPs approve secret 16-year-old transcript be given to Omagh bombing inquiry
By Abbie Llewelyn, PA, Belfast Telegraph and Irish News, October 30th, 2025
MPs have approved a motion to release a secret transcript to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry as it seeks to establish whether the deadly 1998 attack could have been prevented.
The inquiry’s solicitor Tim Suter had asked the House to allow his inquiry to access unreported evidence given to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee almost 16 years ago.
The evidence contains information about an allegation “that police investigators into previous attacks in Moira, Portadown, Banbridge and Lisburn did not have access to intelligence materials which may have reasonably enabled them to disrupt the activities of dissent republican terrorists” in the Co Tyrone town.
The allegation is thought to have been made by former senior police officer Norman Baxter during a private session of the committee on November 11, 2009.
Parliamentary rules require MPs to approve that this information be supplied, because it previously went unreported.
MPs tasked its rules watchdog, the Commons Privileges Committee, with looking at the 2009 transcript. After consideration, the committee recommended that the evidence be given to the inquiry, and for the inquiry to publish that evidence if it sees fit to do so, subject to relevant advice.
Privileges Committee chairman Alberto Costa, the Conservative MP for South Leicestershire, told MPs that the committee felt there was an “overwhelming public interest” in helping the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.
He said: “Throughout our work, the committee has had it in mind that the Omagh bombing was one of the greatest atrocities committed in Northern Ireland during the period known as The Troubles and afterwards.
“In Omagh on August 15, 1998, a summer Saturday, in the centre of a busy town, where people were going about their everyday business, a 500-pound car bomb exploded, taking the lives of 29 people and two unborn children.
“It injured hundreds more people, with repercussions for thousands of relatives, friends and people across Northern Ireland.
‘Overwhelming public interest in disclosure’
“In short, we felt from the beginning that there was an overwhelming public interest in our helping the Omaha Bombing Inquiry in any way we could.”
He added: “In proposing that we provide the transcript to the inquiry, we are giving control of that transcript to that inquiry. This, so far as we are aware, is an unprecedented procedural step.
“But I would praise the inquiry for its careful, helpful and cooperative approach to the matters of parliamentary privilege raised by this step.
“I also thank the inquiry for the assurances it has given my committee about how it will handle the material and, in particular, what steps it will take to ensure that any national security concerns have been fully discussed with the security services before it shares the document or relies upon its own conclusions.
“Thus, given the assurances received by from the inquiry, and in light of the overwhelming public interest in providing aid to an inquiry into the murder of so many people, I trust that the House will feel confident that my committee has recommended an appropriate course of action.”
He concluded: “The committee believes that the House should do all it can to help the Omaha bombing inquiry in its work.
“We wish that inquiry well as it continues to seek the truth behind the terrible events of the 15th of August, 1998.”
Commons leader Sir Alan Campbell commended the Commons Privileges Committee for their “sensitivity in handling the subject” and its “commitment to facilitating the important work of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry”.
MoD has paid £4.3m and rising for defence of Bloody Sunday's Soldier F
ALLISON MORRIS, Belfast Telegraph, October 30th, 2025
COSTS 'AN INSULT TO VICTIMS', SAYS MP EASTWOOD AFTER FIGURE IS REVEALED
The Government has paid £4.3 million in legal fees for the defence of Soldier F, the Parachute Regiment member who stood trial accused of murdering two people on Bloody Sunday.
Last week a judge-only court sitting in Belfast found Soldier F not guilty of committing two murders and five attempted murders Derry in January 1972.
Soldiers opened fire following a civil rights march in the Bogside area of the city, 13 people were shot dead - a 14th died later - and at least 15 others injured.
Soldier F, whose anonymity is protected by a court order, faced charges of murdering James Wray (22) and William McKinney (26).
The veteran had also been accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person. The non-jury trial heard evidence across four weeks which included statements by two of Soldier F's colleagues.
Delivering his judgment at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran fell “well short” of what was required for conviction.
However, the judge said that members of the Parachute Regiment had shot dead unarmed civilians, and those involved should “hang their heads in shame”.
The not guilty verdict was welcomed by unionists, but the families of those who died voiced disappointment at the outcome.
Colum Eastwood submitted PQ
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood submitted a parliamentary question asking for a breakdown of the legal fees paid to defend Soldier F.
The private defence team was paid for by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), who supported the former soldier throughout the trial process.
In a response it was confirmed that to date £4.3m had been paid to Soldier F's legal team, with that figure expected to rise further.
Other expenses associated with case, the Government has said, could not be accurately calculated. Following the revelation, the former SDLP leader said: “Soldier F came to Derry as part of a regiment that shot and killed innocent civil rights protesters as they ran for their lives.
“He is a self-confessed killer, and yet for more than 50 years he has been a protected species in the eyes of the British Government.
“Able and enabled to go about his life while his actions subjected good, innocent people in our city to decades of heartache and hurt.
“In spite of the clear conclusions of Lord Saville, which I would again encourage everyone to read in detail, the British Government has spent £4.3m of our money to defend Soldier F over the last six years.
“The premium that is placed on defending soldiers, even when the state knows what they did, is an insult to victims who are left to fight for truth and justice alone. It is sick.”
He added: “The people of Derry will never leave the Bloody Sunday families and the wounded to fight alone. We are still with them and will never abandon them.”
In response the parliamentary question, a spokesperson for the MoD said: “The Ministry of Defence is committed to supporting veterans and their families. As part pf this, Soldier F has received legal and welfare support throughout his legal proceedings at public expense.
“The legal fees associated with these proceedings (including associated judicial reviews) amount to £4.3m, which may marginally rise once the final bills are received.
Legal fees could rise
“These costs cover the period from when Soldier F was initially charged in March 2019.
“This includes costs associated with the Judicial Review leading to the PPS recommencing proceedings in 2022.
“Legal representation has been provided by the same experienced legal team since the Saville Inquiry, supplemented by leading solicitors and barristers, including Kings Counsel, based in Northern Ireland.
“Other costs associated with the support of Soldier F, such as pastoral care, arrangement and payment of travel and accommodation, etc, are met from a central budget and involve the time of various employees for which a specific cost cannot be calculated”.
The figure is only in relation to defence costs and does not include the costs of the prosecution case.
Following the verdict Ciaran Shiels, a solicitor who represents some of the Bloody Sunday families, said there was no right of appeal in the case.
But he said they were waiting for a review from the Public Prosecution Service in relation to alleged perjury by former soldier known as Soldier H at the Saville Inquiry, and said they would push for a prosecution to be taken “without further delay”.
Reacting to the costs, Mr Shiels said “an obscene amount of public money” had been used in the defence of Soldier F.
'Disgraceful way to treat anybody': B’ham bomb victims campaigner on decision not to hold public inquiry
By Stephanie Wareham, Belfast News Letter, October 30th, 2025
A Government decision not to hold a public inquiry into the 1974 IRA Birmingham pub bombings, despite years of campaigning by families of the victims, has been branded “deeply disappointing”.
Security minister Dan Jarvis confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the Government will not establish a public inquiry into the bombings, which killed 21 people on November 21 1974.
Hodge Hill and Solihull North MP Liam Byrne said he has asked Mr Jarvis to meet with the victims’ families, who set up the Justice4The21 campaign, to explain the decision.
Around 200 were injured when bombs exploded minutes apart in the Mulberry Bush, at the foot of the Rotunda building, and the Tavern In The Town in New Street, in what remains the worst unsolved terrorist atrocity committed in Great Britain.
Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine Hambleton died in the twin blasts, told the PA news agency she received a two-and-a-half page letter explaining the decision on Thursday morning and was “disappointed and outraged”.
She said: “We feel as though they are in, essence, spitting on the graves of our loved ones. It is a disgraceful way to treat anybody, let alone a group of families whose loved ones were slaughtered in cold blood nearly 51 years ago.”
Mr Jarvis said it was the Government’s “firm belief” that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery could effectively investigate the case, “offering the best chance to provide answers to Justice4The21’s questions”.
He said: “I would like to pay tribute to Justice4The21 for their continued campaigning, which has been both tireless and dignified.
Five decades campaigning for Truth
“For over five decades, they have sought truth, justice, and accountability, while also grieving for their loved ones.
“Their unwavering efforts are testament to their remarkable strength, and their continued engagement with the Home Office has been central to our consideration of their request for an inquiry.
“I also recognise the many others that have campaigned on this issue including members of the public, community organisations, and fellow parliamentarians.
“The commitment displayed has been a powerful reflection of the devastating aftermath that these heinous attacks continue to have on the Birmingham community, and I extend my gratitude to all those who have provided contributions.”
Mr Jarvis said the commission, which was set up in May 2024 to investigate Troubles-related incidents, has “robust” powers, resources, and expertise to support the families and recommended they refer their case to it for investigation.
Mr Byrne said the families’ fight for answers would continue despite the Government’s decision.
He said in a statement posted on X: “This is a deeply, deeply disappointing decision. The families who lost loved ones on that terrible night have asked for nothing more than truth and justice.
“After so much time, so much pain, and so many let-downs, they deserve nothing less than a process they can trust.
“One that is independent, judge-led, with full powers and fearless in the search for truth.
“These families have waited half a lifetime for answers. They have endured grief, neglect and delay – yet they have never given up. And neither must we.
“The fight for the families must go on.”
The Birmingham MP said he was in touch with Justice4The21 to “understand their next steps”.
He added: “My view is that the fight must not stop here. It must go on. So I plan to bring this to the floor of the Commons once more, to see what can be done to give these families what they have long deserved: a process that gets to the truth about who murdered their loved ones.”
Six men – Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, John Walker, Richard McIlkenny and Billy Power – were wrongly convicted over the attacks and jailed for life in 1975, but were freed in 1991 after the Court of Appeal ruled their convictions were unsafe.
Inquest hearings which concluded in April 2019 found that a botched IRA warning call led to the deaths of the 21 people unlawfully killed.
An 11-member jury, which sat for almost six weeks, unanimously concluded an inadequate warning call by the Provisional IRA cost police searching the area vital minutes.
They also found there was “not sufficient evidence” of any failings, errors or omissions by West Midlands Police’s response to the bomb warning call.
Starmer ‘in regular contact’ with PSNI chief constable over funding
REBECCA BLACK, Irish News and Belfast Telegraph, , October 30th, 2025
KEIR Starmer has said he is in regular contact with the chief constable over funding shortages.
The prime minister also restated his government’s commitment to keeping people of the region safe after being pressed by DUP leader Gavin Robinson.
The exchange came during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.
Mr Robinson told Mr Starmer that the PSNI has been underfunded and remains under strength, and is struggling with an “unaffordable” £120 million compensation bill following a major data breach.
The PSNI breach occurred in August 2023 when a spreadsheet released as part of a freedom of information request held hidden data with the initials, surname, rank and role of PSNI officers and staff.
Police later said the information had got into the hands of dissident republicans.
In the aftermath of the leak, some officers chose to relocate their homes and change daily routines.
The PSNI accepted liability for the data breach and negotiations over settlements to those affected continues.
The Stormont executive had made a reserve claim to the Treasury to cover unforeseen, unavoidable and unaffordable spending pressures.
Mr Robinson said the Treasury had rejected that call, and urged that it be reconsidered.
“Does he recognise that in Treasury terms, that incident was unpredictable. It was unforeseeable, it’s unaffordable,” he said.
“It matches the criteria that the Treasury have. To set aside that money in a year would be 10% of the overall PSNI budget. It’s not affordable.
“Can I ask him, in engagement with the Chancellor, to think about this issue again and to ensure that our Police Service of Northern Ireland and national security threat they face is not hampered by in year financial rules.”
Mr Starmer responded: “Can I reassure him that I am in regular contact with the Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, and the PSNI on this very issue.
“As he’s aware, we provided a record settlement for the executive, £19.3 billion per year on average.
“We also invested £113 million in additional security funding for the PSNI to help address specific security challenges.
“Whilst it’s for the executive to set the PSNI budget, I want to reassure him that our commitment is to keeping people safe in Northern Ireland.”
What do Dáithí Mac Gabhann, the UDR and Winston Churchill have in common?
JOHN LAVERTY, Belfast Telegraph, October 30th, 2025
YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED
Don't beat yourself up if nothing instantly springs to mind after reading that headline. After all, at first glance it's hard to imagine what, if anything, that particular trio could possibly have in common.
One is an eight-year-old boy with a heart condition who inspired a change in Northern Ireland's organ donation rules, another is the legendary and long-deceased wartime prime minister and the third is the most contentious home service battalion in the Army's history.
But what unites Dáithí Mac Gabhann, Sir Winston Churchill and the Ulster Defence Regiment is... the Freedom of Belfast City.
Dáithí is not only the youngest-ever recipient, but also the last person to receive the highest civic honour that can be awarded to an individual or organisation.
It's chosen by councillors “in recognition of immense pride or expressing gratitude for exemplary service” to the city and, to date, 58 men, 17 women, 10 organisations — and one inspirational young boy — have been recipients since the official introduction in 1898 of a tradition that dates back to the 13th century.
A medieval status that used to have genuine economic and political rights has long since morphed into a mere ceremonial honour and, contrary to popular belief, it no longer entitles you to graze sheep at the City Hall or get free drinks in the local pubs.
Too random?
The whole thing's a bit too random, though.
Notable former recipients include US president Bill Clinton and fellow Good Friday Agreement influencer George Mitchell, prominent Scottish businessman Andrew Carnegie (yes, the same guy the world famous hall in New York was named after), Queen Elizabeth II, the Covid healthcare workers and our ambulance and fire brigade staff.
No one will be surprised to hear that the likes of Kenneth Branagh, Van Morrison and Mary Peters have been made 'Freeman (or Freewoman) of the City'. But why have prominent citizens like, say playwright Marie Jones, TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, actress Brid Brennan and legendary local football manager Roy Coyle been overlooked?
Belfast City Council hasn't honoured anyone since Dáithí two years ago, which isn't unusual.
In the past, they've gone through an entire decade without honouring anyone, yet at other times there have been no fewer than three different recipients in one year.
It might be a good idea to make this an annual event, perhaps with a drawn-up shortlist and the opportunity for the public to vote on it.
No doubt a few of the suggested names might stir up controversy, but unlikely to the same extent as the nominations of Churchill and the UDR did.
In retrospect, it's hard to believe that Churchill, despite his legendary status elsewhere in the UK, was honoured by an overwhelmingly unionist Belfast council in the 1950s.
Pelted with rotting fish
This is the same politician who, in 1912, was pelted by rotten fish thrown by angry loyalist dockers after favouring Home Rule for Ireland in a speech at Belfast Celtic's stadium in west Belfast.
Decades later, in correspondence with US President Franklin D Roosevelt (another Freedom of Belfast recipient) during World War II, Churchill wrote disparagingly of the young men of Belfast, who weren't subject to conscription, “loafing around with hands in their pockets”.
The Conservative and Unionist Party leader also dictated a notorious telegram to taoiseach Éamon de Valera in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack which offered Irish unity in return for the Republic joining the war effort, ending with: “Now is your chance. Now or never. A Nation once again.”
Perhaps not surprisingly, when Churchill was awarded the Freedom of the City of Belfast on December 16, 1955, the ceremony was not held here but in the Mansion House in the City of London.
I wasn't around back then, but I do recall how contentious the UDR's award was in 1980.
On the positive side, the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 who served in the regiment's full and part-time rank, providing Troubles-era back-up cover for the RUC, did so with immense pride and professionalism.
200 UDR members killed
Too many made the ultimate sacrifice; 210 members lost their lives, the majority murdered off-duty when they were easier targets for republican paramilitaries. A further 64 were killed after leaving the regiment.
We owe a lot to the bravery and commitment of these people.
Unfortunately, however, the UDR's reputation was irredeemably tarnished by those bad apples who were also members of loyalist paramilitary groups and committed serious offences, including sectarian murder.
Between 1985 and 1989, UDR soldiers were twice as likely to commit a crime as an ordinary citizen, at a rate that was 10 times that of RUC officers.
Their bases were regularly visited by members of the royal family, but the regiment could never shake off the 'UDR by day, UDA by night' label imposed by republicans.
It might have helped if, when inaugurated in 1970, the regiment had adopted the 'Northern Ireland Territorial Force' name instead of an initialism just one letter away from paramilitary killers.
They disbanded in the early 1990s, but will always have the Freedom of the City of Belfast.
Sign congratulating GAA club on win torched in ‘disgraceful’ incident
PAUL AINSWORTH, October 30th, Irish News, 2025
THE destroying of a sign congratulating a GAA team on their historic club championship win in an overnight arson attack has been slammed as “disgraceful”.
The sign at Farnaloy Road in the Madden area of Co Armagh was erected to mark the success of Madden Raparees, which on Sunday secured their first Armagh Senior Football Championship title with a win over Cullyhanna.
The sign was set alight overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, and Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan hit out at those behind the incident.
Mr Boylan shared images of the sign on fire and the damage caused to it, on social media.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the disgraceful burning of the congratulations sign for the Madden senior footballers,” the Newry and Armagh MLA posted.
“We have reported this criminality to the police and will fully support their investigation.
“At a time when our community is filled with pride and joy, this act is deeply disappointing and does not reflect the true spirit of Madden – one of unity, respect, and pride in our team.”
Mr Boylan added: “Now is the time to stand together, support one another, and continue celebrating the success of our players, coaches, and everyone involved in this remarkable season.”
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received a report shortly after 11am on Wednesday, October 29 that a sign had been set on fire in the Farnaloy Road area of Armagh.
“It was reported that this is believed to have happened on the evening of Tuesday, October 28. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 470 of 29/10/25.”
Sinn Féin questions funding request for Shankill festival
MICHAEL KENWOOD, Irish News, October 30th, 2025
SINN Féin has blocked an “ad hoc” one-off request to Belfast City Council for funding for a Shankill festival.
At the October meeting of the Belfast Council Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, a request from Greater Shankill Partnership for funding of approximately £17,000 to support the Greater Shankill Winter Festival was questioned by councillor Ciaran Beattie.
An alternative proposal was put forward for funding for groups across the city for their winter/ Christmas celebrations, and that included £17,000 potentially going to the Greater Shankill Winter Festival.
A council officer told the committee the Greater Shankill Partnership had up until that point received funding from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but that funding stream was no longer forthcoming. The £17,000 would be for lights for the Winter Festival.
The council also received a request from Cancer Lifeline to fund a shortfall in their counselling service delivery costs up to the end of the financial year. The amount requested was for £16,920, to deliver 564 sessions of counselling up to March 2026.
A correspondence from the Greater Shankill Partnership to the Belfast City Council Chief Executive, written by DUP Councillor Nicola Verner was put forward.
At the Belfast Council S, P & R Committee meeting, DUP Councillor Fred Cobain successfully proposed the Cancer Lifeline request be approved.
However, a proposal by DUP Alderman Frank McCoubrey for the Greater Shankill Partnership request to be agreed was questioned by Sinn Féin.
More scrutiny required
Sinn Féin Councillor Ciaran Beattie said: “We have no objection to both of these, but we want to raise the issue around discretionary funds. We have been around this I don’t know how many times, in relation to organisations just sending a letter in and getting a cheque written to them. That is not what we do.
“We set up a discretionary fund that organisations can apply to in an open and transparent way. It isn’t a way of circumventing the process, it is making sure that it is fair right round the city.”
He added: “We realise these are two important projects, but we would make an amendment to Frank’s proposal, because there are other winter festivals throughout the city. There are ones in east Belfast, south Belfast and west Belfast.
“So if we are going to do this for Shankill then we have to make this money also for other festivals out there. We have to contact them and see if they will apply for this.”
He proposed successfully that the council offers out £17,000 for winter festivals in all quarters of the city.
Alderman McCoubrey said: “Time is against us on this one, things have to be booked.”
Councillor Beattie said: “I have absolutely no objection to it, and I know it is a good festival. But this is the process we have. We had this last year when the Linen Hall Library just wrote in and we wrote them a cheque.”
Alliance Councillor Michael Long said: “I don’t think an automatic £17,000 to the rest of the city is really going to be a particularly useful way to do it. I think we need to bring back a paper at least on how we provide street lights or Christmas lights in the non-city centre areas. We could argue that Ormeau Road or other parts of our city could do with this kind of support.”
The committee agreed for a report to be forwarded to party group leaders, detailing the mechanism for the £17,000 funding pots to be issued across the city. A decision will be made by the full council next week.
Education Minister's trip to school in Jerusalem 'may have breached government policy'
ALLISON MORRIS, Belfast Telegraph, October 30th, 2025
EX-SDLP LEADER CONTACTS FOREIGN SECRETARY OVER 'PROPAGANDA' TOUR
A visit by the Education Minister to a school in east Jerusalem may have breached foreign policy, an MP has said.
Paul Givan used the Department of Education's official website and social media pages to promote his trip to Ofek School, in territory internationally recognised as occupied, on Monday.
A post on the department's website described how the minister visited the school to learn more about Israel's innovative approaches to gifted education and inclusive learning.
Mr Givan is part of a delegation of unionist politicians from the DUP, UUP and TUV visiting the country.
While it was originally thought the trip was unofficial, with the delegation there as guests of the Israeli government, Mr Givan's stop-off was publicised in his official role as a minister.
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said he had asked if the visit, and Mr Givan's use of his official position, was a breach of foreign policy.
The school visited by Mr Givan is outside of the Green Line, which separates Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Syria, and was established after 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
The government's official position is that any Israeli settlements built beyond the Green Line are in breach of international law and are a major obstacle to peace.
Mr Eastwood said: “The British Foreign Office provides support to ministers travelling abroad on official business, which is what Paul Givan has made this cynical propaganda mission by engaging the resources of his department.
“I have asked the Foreign Secretary to outline the exact support offered to Mr Givan, as well as seeking an answer to questions about ministerial visits which cross the Green Line, in light of the government's decision to recognise the state of Palestine.
“Ministers who use their position to become propaganda pieces of the state of Israel should be held to account.”
The Department of Education and the DUP were contacted for comment.
Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole has written to the head of the Civil Service and the Department of Education's permanent secretary to establish what role the Civil Service played in the trip.
State funds used to ‘peddle Israeli propaganda’
“There is real public outrage at the Education Minister's decision to not only visit Israel, but to use departmental resources to publicise his trip and help peddle Israeli propaganda,” he said.
“The Civil Service and department must urgently outline what involvement they had in the minister's trip, and the departmental resources used to herald a visit to a school sitting on occupied Palestinian land.”
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, who chairs Stormont's Education Committee, said questions on “the appropriateness of the minister's trip must be answered”.
“It is entirely understandable that many have expressed concerns about the appropriateness of the trip and the minister's decision to attend,” he added.
“Over the past two years, the world has watched in horror as Israel continued to commit atrocities in Gaza.
“It is clear that the Education Minister and his department have significant questions to answer.
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said he intended to submit a motion of no confidence in the Education Minister at the Assembly.
Unions have also expressed concerns, with the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council accusing Mr Givan of “an overtly political and divisive act”.
It said: “The fact that the Education Minister has undertaken this tour in the context of what has been recognised by the UN as a genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza, as well as Israel's consistent disregard and abuse of international laws in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, is deeply troubling.
“It is also a cause for serious concern that Minister Givan and the department have posted a number of inappropriate social media posts and online news items on the official website, in what he has claimed is a 'fact-finding' mission at the invitation of the Israeli embassy in London. Governmental online platforms should be politically neutral.”
The Department of Education previously said Mr Givan had been invited by the government of Israel to join an official visit as part of a delegation of representatives from Northern Ireland.
Ofek school for high achievers
Officials added that Mr Givan had visited Ofek School to learn more about the approach it takes to diverse learners in a high-achieving environment.
“Following his tour, the Education Minister requested that the educational visit was highlighted on the department's social media channels,” they said.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly defended the trip, saying the delegation was there to learn about what was happening.
She added: “There are examples of [educational] excellence all over the world, including in Israel.
“He [Mr Givan] has taken that opportunity to visit a school and to talk to young people, who have been going through huge challenges as a result of the recent conflict there.”
The DUP previously said: “DUP representatives are part of a wider group, including from other parts of the UK, visiting Israel at the invitation of the Israeli embassy. The visit comes at no cost to UK taxpayers.
“It speaks to the levels some are stooping to manufacture criticisms that they appear to have a problem with people visiting a school which educates Jewish, Arab and Christian children together.”
'He’s every entitlement to go': DUP leader Gavin Robinson defends Paul Givan’s trip to Israel
By David Young, Belfast News Letter, October 2025
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has backed the decision of his party colleague and Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan to visit Israel.
Mr Givan travelled with a group of unionist MLAs after an invitation by the government of Israel for an official visit as part of a delegation of representatives from Northern Ireland.
During the trip Mr Givan visited a school in Jerusalem.
The Department of Education said he afterwards asked that it be highlighted on its social media channels.
Teachers’ unions have expressed concerns, with the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council claiming the department’s promotion of the school visit is an “overtly political and divisive act” and urging the post be deleted.
Unionist delegate to Israel hits back at teaching trade unions over 'uninformed' criticism of trip
DUP hits back at criticism of education minister Paul Givan over his tour of Israel with other unionists
Rival politicians have questioned whether it was appropriate to visit Israel at time when the country is facing international criticism for the conduct of its military offensive in Gaza.
SDLP to demand answers in Stormont
On Wednesday, SDLP leader of the opposition Matthew O’Toole said they will use all means at Stormont to demand answers from the minister.
He said he has written to the head of the Civil Service and the permanent secretary at the Department of Education to establish what role the civil service played in the trip and whether the Northern Ireland Civil Service Code of Ethics has been compromised.
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll has said he intends to submit a motion of no confidence in Mr Givan at the Assembly.
Mr Robinson rejected any suggestion that Mr Givan’s visit was a mistake.
“No, he’s every entitlement to go to Israel,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show.
“And he’s there with colleagues. He received an invitation, like many others did, and he chose to go. I’m pleased we have a party delegation there. There have been a number of visits that they have found incredibly interesting, educational. They are benefiting from it.”
Asked about Israel’s actions in Gaza, Mr Robinson responded: “Israel, as a country, for decades has been under the cosh of terrorists who want to see its extinction.
“One thousand 200 people were slaughtered on October 7 two years ago and Israel has responded.
“Now we have peace in the Middle East and my colleagues travelled whenever peace was agreed and hostages were returned, but we will engage internationally, and our colleagues are there, and I think it is the right thing for them to do.”
Bully throttled his partner and recorded her eating food from the floor
JESSICA RICE, Belfast Telegraph, October 30th, 2025
A woman has described how her former partner filmed her as he forced her to eat food off the floor.
Iwona Giza spoke out about the “demoralising” ordeal as she urged other victims to come forward.
The 28-year-old qualified doctor said she endured “traumatic, psychologically damaging and long-lasting” abuse at the hands of a “very violent and emotionally abusive man”.
Her ex-partner Barry Maguire was convicted of domestic abuse offences, including five counts of non-fatal strangulation, following a hearing at Dungannon Crown Court.
Five year sentence
The 41-year-old, from Omagh, received a five-year sentence for each of the offences, to be served concurrently. Half will be spent in custody and half on licence.
Ms Giza said: “The physical abuse I experienced was very traumatic, psychologically damaging and long lasting.
“To this day, when I feel anxious, I can feel that breathlessness like every time he choked me and I was unable to breathe.”
At the time her abuse was reported, she had sustained weeks of violence and had bruises all over her body.
Over this period, there were repeated and sustained incidents of non-fatal strangulation, with Maguire pinning her to the ground and holding his hand over her mouth and nose.
He also subjected her to what the PSNI described as “controlling, cruel and demoralising acts”, including filming her as he forced her to eat food off the floor.
Maguire would also threaten her, call her names and spit at her during the strangulation incidents.
Ms Giza said: “His degrading actions caused me to lose confidence in myself, and it has taken me considerable time to get control over my life again and realise I did not deserve the treatment he subjected me to.”
Neighbour called PSNI
Ms Giza's neighbour rang the police in November 2023 after hearing an altercation.
They alerted another neighbour and went to the property, where they found the victim outside, crawling on her hands and knees away from Maguire, having just been assaulted.
After Maguire was sentenced last week, Ms Giza is speaking out to encourage other victims to come forward.
She added: “How many people are subjected to cruelty and abuse behind closed doors in Northern Ireland?
“I am choosing to speak out and share my experiences so that more victims feel confident enough to break their silence.
“When I reported [the abuse] to the police, I was met with kindness, compassion and support.
“I have a long way to go in my journey of recovery, but taking those first steps and getting the justice I deserve has changed my life for the better.”
Last year, the PSNI recorded 32,763 domestic abuse incidents and nearly 20,000 domestic abuse crimes, meaning that, on average, a domestic abuse incident was reported every 16 minutes.
An average of 84 domestic abuse arrests are made every month.
Detective Superintendent Kerry Brennan said: “Maguire is a violent and emotionally abusive man, and I commend the victim's bravery in coming forward.
“Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, and unfortunately, it is too prevalent. Behind each statistic is a person whose life has been changed by abuse.”
Belfast records highest number of immigration raids in the UK
LIAM TUNNEY, Belfast Telegraph, October 30th, 2025
An MLA has called on the Executive to raise the increasing number of immigration raids with the Home Office after a report found more had been carried out in Belfast since 2018 than in any other part of the UK.
The study by the Migrants' Rights Network (MRN) broke down the number of raids by postcode.
MRN representatives presented the report at a recent Stormont event sponsored by MLAs Gerry Carroll, Cara Hunter and Claire Sugden.
The report suggested the increase in local raids signalled a shift away from a London-focused approach.
Some 1,277 raids were carried out in the BT3 postal area, which includes Belfast Harbour and the City Airport, between January 2022 and September 2023.
There were a further 483 in BT29, which is home to Belfast International Airport.
Between January 2018 and September 2019, 1,012 raids were mounted in BT3. Between October 2023 and September 2024, there were 689 in BT3 and 476 in BT29.
Belfast and, to a lesser extent, Larne are the focal points for immigration raids because they are key locations for movement between Britain and the Republic of Ireland via the Common Travel Area (CTA).
The CTA has been targeted by Operation Gull, a joint exercise between British and Irish policing and immigration authorities.
The most common nationality encountered by immigration officers in Northern Ireland was Romanian (702), with Indian (202) and Pakistani (145) making up the top three.
Some 117 British citizens were also caught up in the raids. The MRN said the presence of British nationals on the list had “been linked with accusations of racial profiling” in how officers policed the CTA.
Immigration powers are not devolved, but People Before Profit MLA Mr Carroll called on the Executive to demand clarity from the Home Office on the targeting of Northern Ireland.
He said: “We talk about immigration quite often, and we're told it's an issue for Westminster, but we've heard that when people raise these issues with ministers in Westminster, they're told it's a devolved issue.
“People shouldn't be deported at all, but especially not on this scale. There's a responsibility on [the Executive] to act.”
The report also claimed a risk assessment document from the Home Office identified local or “unusually high” media attention as risks to carrying out the operations.
Mr Carroll said the media had an important role in highlighting raids.
“There hasn't been enough focus on this, but it's a question of what our money, as taxpayers, is spent on,” he added.
“Is it spent on helping people and helping people to gain asylum, or is it used alongside the police, alongside the Home Office and other government agencies to deport people, to harass people, to stop and search?
“I think the media have an important job to highlight this, and it shouldn't be seen as a risk factor.”
The Home Office and Executive Office did not respond to requests for comment.
Cash to tackle racism turned down by community groups, council reveals
Ards and North Down Borough Council facing difficulty handing out £27,000 Stormont grants in wake of Ballymena riots
HANNAH PATTERSON, Irish News, October 30th, 2025
COUNCIL officials have admitted facing “challenges” when trying to hand out thousands of pounds to community groups in a bid to tackle racism.
But a women’s group in the area says it was not told of the additional cash.
Some community organisations in the Ards and North Down area chose not to engage with efforts to award the Stormont cash to tackle racism in the wake of the Ballymena riots.
Following June’s riots, which led to heightened racial tensions across Northern Ireland, the Executive Office offered help to councils in delivering projects to “support social and racial cohesion”.
It supplied an additional £20,000 in July, followed by another £27,000 this month.
However, Ards And North Down Borough Council documents seen by The Irish News reveal reluctance among community organisations to take the money.
“It is worth noting that the good relations team have faced challenges in relation to expenditure of the initial grant amount of £20,000,” the document states.
The council told The Irish News: “We acknowledge that while some groups have chosen not to engage with the funding… we are actively working with other community organisations across the borough who are committed to delivering impactful projects that promote social and racial cohesion.”
However, UUP councillor Peter Wray told The Irish News his community group, North Down Alternatives, did take up the council’s offer.
“At least one group has taken it up, I know for a fact because my group has.”
But Mr Wray said he understood why others may have refused, adding: “At the minute this is a very topical and sensitive issue. Communities are divided in terms of their opinion towards non-indigenous people coming here. Be that either refugees or asylum seekers.
“I believe that a programme that promotes more tolerance and busts the myth around some of the legalities around that would be welcome.
“I think there is a lot of misinformation on social media around this issue in the area and that has resulted in some communities closing doors on this before they’ve even really gave it a chance.”
Groups unaware of funding
Kilcooley Women’s Centre however, said it was unaware of the funds being offered.
Chief executive of the group, Alison Blayney said: “We weren’t aware of the funding. It’s disappointing because we would have developed a project and we are still keen to do so if it’s still available.”
Bangor’s Marine Court Hotel – that houses some migrants – has seen almost weekly protests. People taking part display slogans, ‘we are not racists we are concerned residents’ and ‘keep our children safe’.
However, Ms Blayney said she believes the hotel solely houses women, who she has been trying to engage and work with.
“Bangor is no more racist than anywhere else. The girls who walk about from the migrant hotel walk around freely. I have never seen any sort of harassment of them,” she said.
“There are protests at the hotel, but it’s usually a handful of local men, and most don’t pay attention to it now to be honest. It’s no more racist than everywhere else. There is just less opportunity to engage.”
The council has said it welcomes organisations to come forward and engage with the funds, adding it remains, “committed to fostering inclusive and respectful community engagement”.
Man jailed after taking part in unnotified anti-immigration parade in Ballymena
By Court Reporter, Belfast News Letter, October 30th, 2025
A man who admitted taking part in an unnotified 'anti-immigration' public procession in Ballymena on September 4 this year has been jailed for three months.
Ryan Tyrie (41), of Willowfield Street in Belfast, also admitted disorderly behaviour in Ballymena on the same day. He also admitted 'jaywalking'.
He was at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday via video link from prison where he had been on remand.
A prosecutor said an anti-immigration demonstration was held at Wakehurst Road in Ballymena.
It was unnotified and more than 50 people moved off around 6.45pm, some carrying flags.
The prosecutor said no notification form had been submitted to the Parades Commission.
The court heard the procession had gone through Harryville. At several points during the course of the parade the defendant was shouting at the top of his voice repeatedly and gesturing for other persons present to block the road with him, said the prosecutor.
He also made gestures and shouted towards a police vehicle which was recording the incident.
At one stage at Waveney Road the defendant stepped onto the road causing a police vehicle to perform an emergency stop.
The defendant continually stepped into the road causing traffic to have to brake sharply, it was said.
The defendant was wearing distinctive clothing and had a distinctive facial tattoo, said the prosecutor.
When interviewed the defendant said he didn't realise it was an illegal procession; and he denied, at that stage, the jaywalking and indicated he would continue to repeat the behaviour regardless of police actions.
The court heard the defendant had previously been on bail but breached a bail condition that he was not to discuss immigration online.
A previous court was told he breached a bail condition during an interview with 'Freedom Dad' on social media.
One of Tyrie's bail conditions was 'not to engage with, post or stream on any social media site in respect of any issue related to immigration'. Tyrie told the earlier court he was interviewed about going to prison and if immigration was mentioned he had been out of the room.
After viewing the social media post at the earlier court, District Judge Nigel Broderick said he was satisfied immigration was discussed on the footage which breached the defendant's bail.
Back at Thursday's court, a defence barrister said Tyrie had spent around five weeks in custody on remand.
The lawyer said the defendant "indicates to me that he is not against immigration and he wishes the court to know that".
He had given people a lift and had no intent to cause any trouble, said the defence.
The defendant was given a three months prison term and was fined £100.
Mayor: I was shoved with placard in confrontation
CONOR COYLE, Irish News, October 30th, 2025
PROTESTERS accused of intimidating members of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council yesterday apologised, saying a sign that hit the mayor got “caught in the wind”.
UUP mayor Leah Kilpatrick said she was “shoved” by a placard after emerging from the meeting at Mossley Mill on Monday night, where around 30 protesters had gathered to confront local representatives.
Sinn Féin councillor Eamonn McLaughlin also said he was verbally abused by what was described an “intimidatory mob”.
The PSNI has confirmed it is liaising with local representatives over the incident, and it is understood CCTV footage captured on the night has been requested from the council.
Mayor Kilpatrick said “questions must be asked” of the PSNI response.
The organisers of the protest – attended by prominent anti-immigration campaigners such as convicted UVF bank robber and YouTuber Mark Sinclair, said they had apologised to Mayor Kilpatrick and that any contact made with her as she left the building was unintentional.
“Unfortunately, a lady got bumped by a sign when she walked by an apology was sent when we heard about this,” a group known as Concerned Parents Newtownabbey posted on social media.
“It was wet and very windy the sign got caught in the wind.”
The incident comes amid other local authority representatives reporting being targeted in recent weeks, notably in the Newry, Mourne and Down area where a number of councillors reported receiving a “sinister” voice message identifying them as “legitimate targets”.
Cllr Kilpatrick, (33), was first elected to Antrim and Newtownabbey Council in 2019 and is the first female mayor to have taken up the role at the local authority, and one of the youngest.
“I am shocked and dismayed by what I saw last night with the deliberate intimidation of elected representatives outside the council chamber,” she said in a statement.
“What unfolded was in stark contrast to the goodwill expressed inside the meeting, where we witnessed a historic moment with an all female top table for the first time and a unanimous decision by all parties to condemn the disgraceful graffiti on the Glengormley war memorial.
“The scenes outside were nothing short of chaos and should never have happened, it was a step too far. I personally experienced being shoved with a placard by one of the protestors, whether accidental or not, they shouldn’t have been so close.
“Questions must be asked of the PSNI’s handling of the situation, which left much to be desired. The Ulster Unionist Council group has raised our concerns directly with the PSNI. I have absolutely no issue with people protesting; it’s their democratic right. However, what we experienced last night was a step too far.”
Tourists ‘attacked and racially abused’ by group in city centre
MARK ROBINSON, Irish News, October 30th, 2025
TWO tourists are reported to have been attacked and racially abused by four people in a “shameful” and “unprovoked” incident Belfast city centre on Tuesday night.
The suspects, two men aged 28 and 34 and two women aged 22 and 28, remain in police custody following the attack.
It was reported to have taken place at around 11pm when the two tourists were walking in the Royal Avenue area and was spotted by police CCTV operators.
Officers say they are treating the incident, which involved the two tourists being “punched and kicked repeatedly” as a racially-motivated hate crime.
The two victims reported that they had been subject to racist abuse.
“Due to enhanced police patrols in the city centre, officers were in the immediate area and as such were able to attend the scene straight away,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
“A man aged 34, a man aged 28 and a woman aged 22 were arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm; while a woman aged 38 was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.”
The incident took place while the tourists were walking in the Royal Avenue area
Belfast Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Jeremy Lindsay, said: “Thankfully, at this stage we don’t believe that the men sustained serious injury. We’re grateful that our CCTV operators saw this assault in progress and we were able to get officers to the scene very quickly.
“It’s shameful that visitors to Belfast should be subject to such an attack.
“We have recently increased our patrols in Belfast City Centre and will continue to use these targeted patrols to help keep the city streets as safe as possible.”
He added that they regular meet with partner agencies within the community and are committed to continuing to address concerns “including anti-social behaviour and drugs criminality”.
“Police will robustly address any criminal activity and welcome the opportunity to engage with those who wish to tackle criminality in the local community. We would encourage anyone affected by any criminal activity to contact police in order to enable us to take action.”
Four accused of racially motivated assault refused bail in Belfast court over tourist attack
By David Young, PA, Belfast News Letter, October 30th, 2025
Connil Rice, 34, Cian Quinn , 28, and sisters Lucy Reid , 38, and Victoria Reid , 22, appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged in connection with the attack on the two men.
The tourists were assaulted at around 11pm on Tuesday night in the Royal Avenue area of the city centre.
Police have said they believe neither man sustained serious injuries in an incident officers are treating as a racially motivated hate crime.
Rice, of Victoria Parade in Belfast , has been charged with common assault and disorderly behaviour while Quinn, who was described in court as being homeless but who has a former address at Southview Street in the city, is charged with attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Lucy Reid , with an address at Southview Street, is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm while her sister Victoria Reid , who is of no fixed abode but has been residing at a homelessness centre on Waring Street in Belfast , is accused of common assault and disorderly behaviour.
Racial aggravation has been cited as a factor in charges facing all four.
A police officer, who said she could connect all four to the charges, objected to applications for bail.
She told the court that the incident unfolded when Rice approached one of the tourists and walked alongside him exhibiting "very daunting" behaviour and speaking to him while apparently under the influence of alcohol.
The officer told the court that CCTV shows the man pushing Rice away with one arm at which point the accused punched him in the face and a fight breaks out.
The officer said Rice then allegedly called the other accused to get involved.
The court was told the other tourist was assaulted when he tried to stop the attack on his friend.
The officer said that Victoria Reid shouted "P****" and "traffickers" at the tourists during the incident.
She is also accused of pulling one of the tourists to the ground and sitting on him while her sister Lucy kicked him in the bottom of his back.
District judge Anne Marshall refused the bail applications of all four accused on the grounds of risk of offending and risk of failing to comply with bail conditions.
"This is obviously a very serious and concerning incident," she said.
"And the court has a duty to protect the public and people who live and work in Belfast , people who want to use the city centre, the very heart of the city centre in the evening to attend whatever activities and events are going on."
All four were remanded in custody to appear before court again, via video link, on November 27.
MP says Government's 'dismissive' response to EU Poppy rules for Northern Ireland sellers misses the point
By David Thompson, Belfast News Letter, October 30th, 2025
Stalls must display evidence they are entitled to sell poppies in Northern Ireland, under Irish Sea border rules.
The government’s response to concerns about EU rules on the sale of Remembrance Poppies in Northern Ireland is dismissive, and “misses the point entirely”, Robin Swann has said.
The Ulster Unionist MP has hit out at government comments that there is nothing stopping the charity emblems being sold – after it emerged that sellers will be required to have EU-mandated signs and stickers on display showing they have permission to sell them.
Under the Windsor Framework companies or charities selling certain items originating in Great Britain must have an EU representative to sell the products legally in Northern Ireland.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) has issued a warning to anyone selling poppies that they must comply with an EU directive by having notices on display and “stickers affixed to all poppy trays” showing these details.
South Antrim MP Robin Swann says new EU requirements for poppy sellers in Northern Ireland are "unacceptable" and "absurd".
Last week Mr Swann branded the rules “absurd” – saying poppies quite clearly pose no threat to the EU customs union, and arguing “common sense must prevail”. A government spokesperson said nothing in the rules had stopped poppies being sold in Northern Ireland, and the RBL “are putting up stands as normal, as they did last year.”
The UUP MP has hit back, saying that response “is frankly dismissive and misses the point entirely. Of course, the Royal British Legion can still set up their Poppy Appeal stalls in Northern Ireland – that hasn’t been in question.
“What has changed is that RBL volunteers are now being burdened with unnecessary European Union compliance requirements, including extra paperwork and the need for a named EU representative, to distribute poppies and collect donations for servicemen and women and their families. It’s bureaucracy for the sake of it and does nothing to protect the EU’s market”.
British Government should ‘show greater understanding’
The South Antrim MP has raised the issue in the House of Commons – calling on the government to “show greater understanding and a more constructive willingness to address what is a very clear and avoidable issue.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “The RBL's charitable fundraising activities in Northern Ireland are continuing as they always have, and vast numbers of poppies are being sold across Northern Ireland as is always the case at this time of year.
“Of course, enforcement of rules is targeted where there is an actual need based on consumer rights or safety - we cannot envisage that checking stickers on the boxes of poppy selling volunteers is a priority of those enforcing product safety rules”.
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is applicable in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
The rules mean that anyone selling into Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK – even for digital products – would have to have a “responsible person” registered here, and complete compliance paperwork.
It has resulted in online sellers in Great Britain – who deliver to the rest of the world – withdrawing products from the Northern Ireland market entirely.
Mr Swann’s early day motion in Parliament calls on the Minister for Veterans and the Minister for the Constitution and European Relations “to work with the Royal British Legion and the European Union to remove the unnecessary requirements placed on those selling poppies and other commemorative materials in Northern Ireland” – and urges the government to “fully [support] all those who support the Poppy Appeal”.
Tory shadow NIO minister says it's 'very important' British and Irish Govts don't take sides in border poll
By David Thompson, Belfast News Letter, October 30th, 2025
The shadow Northern Ireland secretary says the government should not “use the offices of state” to campaign for the Union in the event of a border poll – and that the Irish government should not use its resources to back a united Ireland.
Alex Burghart’s comments suggest the Conservative Party would take a different approach to Northern Ireland than it did during the Scottish independence referendum.
During the 2014 campaign the Scottish secretary of state openly campaigned for the Union and used public resources to deliver a booklet selling the benefits of the union to every home.
But in an interview with the BBC, Mr Burghart says that in the event of a border poll, the NI Secretary should not back either side – and Ireland should do likewise.
Former DUP MP Ian Paisley asked whether the Conservative Party would campaign to maintain the Union if they were in government during a border poll, during an episode of the BBC’s ‘Borderlands: UK or United Ireland’ podcast.
“Yes, the Conservative Party would. We’re the Conservative and Unionist Party. In the same way that we campaigned for Scotland to stay part of the United Kingdom in the Scottish referendum.
“It would obviously be very important, should a border poll come about, which I don’t see happening any time in the near or even medium term future, that any Secretary of State should not use the offices of state to come down on the side of one community or another”, the shadow NI secretary said.
Asked by presenter Chris Buckler if he would expect the Irish government to remain neutral as well, Mr Burghart said “it's a very good question”, adding “I think it's quite unlikely that they would” [campaign].
“There's a divide between the institutions and the politicians themselves. And obviously private individuals, who happen to be politicians, have a perfect right to go out and campaign for whatever they want. That's free society.
Dublin should not fund unity campaign in Border Poll
“I would have serious reservations about the Irish state using state funding to support one side of the vote… that sort of feels wrong to me”, the Tory MP said.
Pushed by Mr Buckler on how the Irish government could be neutral in the debate given their very clear position in favour of an all Ireland state, Mr Burghart said “I'm speaking on my feet here, I reserve the right to think about it more deeply.
“But as I said, I think there's a difference between individuals campaigning and state money being used. It would feel inappropriate to me for the Irish government to be spending taxpayer cash on supporting one side in the referendum, particularly if it expected GB to remain neutral”.
During the Scottish referendum in 2014, the UK government delivered two million booklets to households in Scotland, arguing the benefits of continued UK membership.
Then Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael urged people to read the material and ask themselves “do we really want to gamble all of this when the alternative is so full of risks and uncertainty?” He said the UK government “has a duty to provide people in Scotland with facts ahead of our referendum decision in September. We know that people want more information that is clear and reliable”.
Alex Burghart is not the first shadow secretary of state to argue that the UK government should remain neutral in the event of a referendum on Northern Ireland’s place in the Union.
In 2021, Labour’s Louise Haigh contradicted the then-position of Sir Keir Starmer, saying that it was not her job to be a “persuader for the Union”.
Speaking to GB News, Ms Haigh said: “The principle of consent is still very much intact and it is only for the people of Northern Ireland to determine their own constitutional future and polls still suggest that there is a very firm majority in favour of remaining in the United Kingdom.
"It's not my job to be a persuader for the union, that was an important principle that led up to the Good Friday Agreement.
"We are a unionist party in the Labour party, but if there is a border poll then we should remain neutral”.
Sir Keir Starmer has previously said he would campaign for Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK if such a referendum was held in his lifetime – saying such a vote is neither imminent nor a priority.
