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Row flares after DUP duo walk out during Clinton ovation
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Two DUP MPs have been accused of letting Northern Ireland down after they walked out of the Assembly chamber during a standing ovation for Hillary Clinton.
Sinn Fein has asked for an apology from Gregory Campbell and Willie McCrea. The two politicians responded by denying that any snub was intended and instead insisted they left for another engagement.
The latest spat between Sinn Fein and the DUP came as the US Secretary of State called on political leaders here to broker a deal on the devolution of policing and justice.
The two senior DUP men, who have spoken out against a swift devolution of policing and justice powers, left the Assembly while other members were applauding Mrs Clinton.
Their actions will be seen by many as a sign that some elements within the DUP do not appreciate outside interference in Northern Ireland’s affairs.
But the early exits brought an angry response from Sinn Fein MLA Daithi McKay.
He said: “The behaviour of Willie McCrea and Gregory Campbell was nothing short of childish and was a direct insult to the Obama administration. Now, given the fact that the DUP continually emphasises the importance of foreign investment to the north, the behaviour of these two representatives serves only to undermine this.
“The DUP needs to publicly distance themselves from the actions of Messrs McCrea and Campbell who acted in a very unprofessional and discourteous manner not only toward Hillary Clinton but also toward their own party leader.”
However, Mr Campbell rejected the accusations, claiming he and Rev McCrea had other business to attend to. He did not specify what the other business was.
“The only immaturity that I sense is the tell-tale behaviour of David (Daithi) McKay,” he said. “Just like a child in the playground runs to the teacher and gives an inaccurate account of an event, so too has David given an inaccurate account of the proceedings in the Assembly. When the business had concluded both William and I withdrew from the Chamber as we had other important matters to deal with.”
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Comments
24 Comments
Could it be anything to do with the fact that these fundamentalist right wing bible thumpers tend to have a problem accepting women as their equals?
Posted by Not DUPed | 14.10.09, 19:57 GMT
Yeah, they had the guts to leave early - but not to boycott the whole deal entirely !! Hillary is a tough, powerful and scary lady, so can't blame them really.
Posted by hope | 13.10.09, 19:08 GMT
Have some respect Daithi McKay is entitled under the European convention of Human Rights to use the native version of his first name or indeed his surname. Until people respect others right to be different we will get nowhere in this country. I support both the Ullans and Irish language movements as part of my culture. Respect a small word but it can move mountains.
Posted by Toirdealbhac | 13.10.09, 17:03 GMT
These pair only let themselves down by walking out on Mrs Clinton, the DUP and Sinn Fein are hopeless and have clearly not learned any manners along the way. I think its time time to get the SDLP back to the top of government.
Posted by Cathal | 13.10.09, 16:41 GMT
Scarnallach:
Yesterdays news means they are washed-up, impotent and moribund characters in the world of politics.
1.Sinn Fein supporters in the US are still heavy financial backers of (Former Senator and) current Secretary of State Clinton. Mrs Clinton's days in this job are numbered, President Obama has been very shrewd in appointing his biggest political rival/threat in this position.
2. Sinn Fein became the richest party in European politics thanks to the Clintons, hence the swooning worship. What a waste of money that has been!
Posted by Emily | 13.10.09, 15:50 GMT
the campbelll man wont support his hometown derry in there name change never went to derry city centre when the clintons visited the city his day will come
Posted by ray usa | 13.10.09, 15:37 GMT
Emily
"They are yesterdays news."
You have just commented on them. Being in the news. Today.
Posted by Scamallach | 13.10.09, 15:05 GMT
Two really bizarre men: who on earth votes for them?
Posted by BenjiBear | 13.10.09, 14:51 GMT
Sinn Fein and the Clintons have 2 things in common:
1. They need each other, and
2. They are yesterdays news.
Posted by Emily | 13.10.09, 14:05 GMT
Maybe they thought they had done enough "sucking up to" for the day???
Posted by sg | 13.10.09, 13:24 GMT
Some members of the DUP need to be house trained
Posted by mary | 13.10.09, 12:35 GMT
We all know that she is a Zionist and supports Israels domination over the cruel anti humanitarian treatment of all Palestinians and Sinn Fein knows that oh too well! Swings and Roundabouts all these politicians are defunkt.
Posted by Gregory Herschellle | 13.10.09, 11:50 GMT
“The only immaturity that I sense is the tell-tale behaviour of David (Daithi) McKay,”
Says Gregory Campbell whilst refusing to acknowledge a fellow politician by their proper name just because it is 'as Gaeilge'
Posted by Brónagh | 13.10.09, 11:34 GMT
I wonder was Mr Campbell rushing to open his letter to see how much the Westminster Auditor says he has to repay?
Posted by Bongo | 13.10.09, 10:57 GMT
to bb: Since when did bigotry become a principle.?
Posted by Jim | 13.10.09, 10:37 GMT
What an embarrassment these two are. And for what? Two seconds of laughable publicity? And that is what they got. A big laugh - at them!
Posted by billy boy | 13.10.09, 10:27 GMT
“The only immaturity that I sense is the tell-tale behaviour of David (Daithi) McKay,” he said.
The hypocrisy of Mr Campbell is just laughable. Absolute fool.
Posted by Larry banger | 13.10.09, 09:49 GMT
The DUP are having to be dragged kicking and screaming every step along the way of this peace process. They're clearly angry about having to meet the committments they made.
But that is no excuse for their rudeness. Grow up!
Posted by gearoid | 13.10.09, 09:40 GMT
Willie was maybe nipping off to the recording studio to work on his christmas classics, gregory probably doing the backing vocals!............extremely weird people, the sooner they are gone from politics the better!
Posted by MiHe | 13.10.09, 09:18 GMT
Why should anyone be surprised at the antics of two clowns. Gregory has just assisted in wasting 3.5Million of taxpayers money on The Maze feasibility studies. I think Peter ought to show leadership at this time and hive these two old dinosaurs off to their true home with Jim and the TUV.
With power comes responsibility.
Posted by HC | 13.10.09, 09:05 GMT
24 Comments