Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WHIFF OF INTRIGUE OVER LILY CHALLENGE
Sinn Fein symbol call part of ‘attempt to get poppy sales banned’
SINN Fein calls for the Easter Lily to be sold at Belfast City Hall may be part of a ploy to have sales of the poppy banned, it is being claimed.
The DUP hit back at calls by the republican party’s council leader Jim Mcveigh for the symbol to be sold and for staff to be allowed to wear it, saying it has no equivalence with the poppy.
The unionist party’s leader on Belfast City Council Lee Reynolds also blasted the timing of the appeal.
He added: “The timing of this story over Remembrance weekend shows the inability of Sinn Fein to display basic levels of respect.
“While most wished to focus and remember those who defended democ- racy and opposed totalitarianism they were desperately trying to find some way to stir up a political argument.
“Sinn Fein’s arguments have been tested in the courts and were rejected at all levels.
“The European Court of Human Rights ruled the Lily was ‘directly linked to the conflict’ and it would not be appropriate for the council to sell it and place itself in breach of Equality Commission guidance.
“The longer-term game by Sinn Fein may be to use rejection of this motion as a pretence to stop the poppy being sold, as they did in Mid-ulster Council.”
Cllr Reynolds also used the row to take a swipe at the Alliance Party. He added: “Alliance are voting with Sinn Fein on a two-to-one basis in City Hall against Unionism so the question is will Alliance abandon their love-in with Sinn Fein and vote against such proposals?” Poppies were banned from sale at all council buildings in the Mid-ulster Council area in 2015 in a move that caused controversy.
The DUP and UUP issued a joint statement at the time, saying Sinn Fein and the SDLP were “intent on making Mid-ulster a cold house for Unionists”.
Cllr Mcveigh said his call for Easter Lilies to be sold and for staff to be allowed to wear them was a “simple parity of esteem issue”.
Asked about Cllr Reynolds’ accusation of a “love-in”, Alliance hit back.
A spokesman said: “It seems Lee Reynolds has a short memory as it was the DUP’S love-in with Sinn Fein that saw them carve up £4million in public money for their own political interests at the latest council meeting.”