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You're more like a Chihuahua: Arlene Foster's jibe at UUP's Steve Aiken after Brexit letter release

Steve Aiken described the animal as a 'small, intelligent and ferocious Mexican attack dog'. Expand
First Minister Arlene Foster Expand
Steve Aiken has said the DUP have had a "u-turn" following the Brexit vote Expand

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Steve Aiken described the animal as a 'small, intelligent and ferocious Mexican attack dog'.

Steve Aiken described the animal as a 'small, intelligent and ferocious Mexican attack dog'.

First Minister Arlene Foster

First Minister Arlene Foster

Steve Aiken has said the DUP have had a "u-turn" following the Brexit vote

Steve Aiken has said the DUP have had a "u-turn" following the Brexit vote

Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

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Steve Aiken described the animal as a 'small, intelligent and ferocious Mexican attack dog'.

An Ulster Unionist MLA has hit out at the First Minister after she described him a Chihuahua in a debate over Brexit.

The debate began after Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin Mcguinness released a letter sent to Theresa May outlining their priorities for the upcoming Brexit negotiations.

When UUP MLA for South Antrim Steve Aiken criticised the DUP for their “u-turn”, Mrs Foster said that the party had sent their “attack dog” but he was “more like a Chihuahua”.

He quickly responded that this was the “first time I've ever been compared to small but intelligent & ferocious Mexican attack dog.”

 


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The joint letter raised five areas of concern for Northern Ireland after Brexit - the border border between Northern Ireland and the Republic; trading costs; the energy market; loss of EU funding and the agri-food sector.

As the DUP supported leaving the European Union, other parties accused Mrs Foster’s party of trying to “have their cake and eat it”.


Mr Aiken told the BBC: "These are all concerns that existed before the referendum.

"Indeed given the content of the letter I would question whether this is a DUP u-turn on their position on the referendum after the vote has taken place?”

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, Mrs Foster said she didn’t believe campaigning for Brexit was a mistake and it will bring opportunities as well as challenges.

Responding to the UUP MLA’s comments, she said: "Poor Steven Aiken has been sent out once again to be the attack dog against the executive and frankly, he comes across more as a Chihuahua."

But Mr Aiken quickly responded on Twitter and his colleague Councillor Stephen Nicholl sent a photo of a Chihuahua baring his teeth, adding the comment that this was the UUP’s “new mascot”.

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Belfast Telegraph