Book on Tyrone UDR sparks row during online Stormont meeting

WEST Tyrone MLA, Maoliosa McHugh, has called for clarity on the guidelines around the emblems and backgrounds used by Assembly members when they are logging on to meetings remotely.

His comments came in response to TUV leader, Jim Allister, who had a copy of a book about the operations of the UDR in Tyrone in the background during a meeting of the Stormont Finance Committee last Wednesday.

The book was prominently placed directly behind where Mr Allister was sitting. There were no other publications or emblems in the background while the North Antrim politician was speaking.

The matter was raised by Mr McHugh and, speaking to the Tyrone Herald, he said it was important that the issue be dealt with.

“Clearly this is something which has been raised in another committee previously. It’s something that should be sorted out because we are engaging in what is meant to be a neutral environment,” he said.

“If I am going to engage remotely with Stormont in terms of either the Assembly or in committee, it’s not an opportunity for me to be displaying political party symbols or anything else like it. On this occasion, when I had seen a very definite attempt by Jim Allister to product place, I asked whether this was appropriate. My point is that this should be a neutral environment.”

But Mr Allister said the contents of his study were “absolutely none” of Mr McHugh’s business.

“I note however that a book which testifies to the bravery of the security forces in facing down the threat of terrorism raises such ire from Republicans simply by existing,” he said. “Obviously I refused to take any notice of Mr McHugh’s silly objection, but it is a telling insight into how easily Republicans are by the mere presence of a book.”

Mid Ulster DUP MLA, Keith Buchanan, claimed that Sinn Fein “simply don’t want a British symbol about the place”.

“Equality seems to have a contorted definition in the Sinn Fein dictionary,” he claimed. The unscripted view put forward in a Committee meeting demonstrates a lot about the true Sinn Fein attitude and towards the British identity in Northern Ireland. In truth, Sinn Fein simply don’t want a British symbol about the place,” Mr Buchanan added.