DUP MP says her party backs right to breastfeed in public

THE DUP’s only female MP has said the party supports women who breastfeed in public, despite controversial comments by Sammy Wilson who branded it exhibitionism.

Emma Little-Pengelly was challenged about the DUP’s position on breastfeeding at Breastival in Belfast on Saturday — an annual event to celebrate breastfeeding set up following fellow MP Mr Wilson’s contentious remarks in 2016.

Outgoing head of the Royal College of Midwives in Northern Ireland, Breedagh Hughes, asked Ms Little-Pengelly to clarify the DUP’s position on breastfeeding.

The South Belfast MP said: “While I know there has been some comments from my colleague Sammy Wilson, the party did come out very quickly afterwards to make clear that this was a personal view and not a party position.

“It is unfortunate that it is those comments that tend to get the media coverage, and people think they know the party position, but it isn’t the party position and we are very supportive of breastfeeding.”

Mr Wilson made headlines when he described women who wanted to breastfeed in the House of Commons as “exhibitionists”, saying they should do it in private instead. Politicians Claire Hanna, Emma Little-Pengelly, Michelle Gildernew, Claire Bailey, Paula Bradshaw and Roy Beggs attend the Global Big Latch On breastfeeding promotion and support event at the Ulster Museum