PSNI chief under fire for going to DUP dinner
SF ask Hamilton to justify his attendance at event
PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton was last night asked to explain himself after it emerged he attended a dinner hosted by DUP MP Ian Paisley.
More than 200 attended the function on Thursday in Ballymena, including Cabinet Minister Michael Gove. But Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly queried whether it was appropriate for the PSNI chief (left) to attend such an event on the grounds of impartiality. The DUP say it was not a “party fundraiser”.
PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton has been asked to explain himself after it emerged he attended a dinner hosted by DUP MP Ian Paisley.
More than 200 people were at the function on Thursday night in Ballymena’s Tullyglass Hotel at which Tory MP Michael Gove met representatives from Northern Ireland’s agriculture, local government and business sectors.
But Mr Hamilton has been lashed by both Sinn Fein and Ulster Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney.
Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly queried whether it was appropriate for our top police officer to be at such an event on the grounds of impartiality.
Mr Hamilton’s attendance at the dinner comes just a few months after the PSNI came under fire for taking part in Belfast Pride.
Mr Kelly insisted Mr Hamilton needed to explain his actions.
“While the Chief Constable does have to engage with people right across the community, attendance at a DUP fundraiser would be a clear conflict of interest,” he said.
“The Chief Constable needs to provide an explanation to the public about the reports he attended a party political fundraiser. There is an onus on the Chief Constable and his office to act, and to be seen to act, with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all in the community.”
❝ The Chief Constable should not be attending a fundraising dinner of any political party
Lord Kilclooney also criticised the Chief Constable’s decision to attend the event.
“The Chief Constable should not be attending a fundraising dinner of any political party. Never in RUC,” he wrote on social media.
But in a statement, the party insisted the event was not a “DUP fundraiser”.
“Ian Paisley hosts an annual MP’s constituency dinner,” it said.
“The event was attended by civic and political figures from across the community. It was not a DUP fundraising dinner.” It is understood that those attending the event purchased tickets.
The Belfast Telegraph approached Mr Paisley to ask whether the proceeds went to charity or to the local constituency association. Mr Paisley referred us to the DUP statement.
The PSNI defended the Chief Constable’s decision to attend the dinner, and said he made no financial contribution to it.
“The Chief Constable was invited to last night’s annual North Antrim constituency dinner by the MP Ian Paisley and accepted the invitation as his guest,” a spokesman said. “The Chief Constable made no financial contri- bution to or at the event and did not purchase a ticket, as he was there as an invited guest of the MP. The Chief Constable and senior team are invited to attend a range of events hosted by elected representatives and are happy to consider opportunities for engagement at that level from any and all political parties.”
It added: “At no time was the Chief Constable aware that this was a fundraising event.”
A former Deputy Chief Constable defended Mr Hamilton’s presence at the event.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Alan McQuillan said: “In my view, it would be inappropriate for a senior officer to align themselves with any particular party.
“But equally, the police are part of the community, and interact with the community. The Chief Constable has spoken at many events — like the Feile in west Belfast — and at political events, including events in the Irish Republic.
“So it’s not unusual to find senior police officers attending meetings of political parties. It would be wrong if they only attended the meetings of one political party — but provided they do it in a neutral way across all the political parties, I don’t see the difficulty.”