Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DUPLICITOUS
MP Girvan’s letter of support for anti-incinerator group on SAME DAY he called for early delivery of... the incinerator
My position has not changed and I continue to support you
project for the successful delivery of Northern Ireland’s future waste management strategy and the immense private sector investment (£240 million) in the postcovid recovery phase period must be welcomed.”
They said the Hightown quarry project would bring investment, generate income and create hundreds of jobs.
For years, Mr Girvan had publicly voiced his opposition to the plans, including in 2017 when he shared a platform with other politicians speaking from platforms at our public meetings denouncing the project.
“For him to flip-flop again and claim he now supports the project is as bizarre as it is hypocritical.”
Mr Girvan’s U-turn emerges amid a split in the DUP over the incinerator. While South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke has recently expressed support, his constituency colleague Pam Cameron has voiced her continued opposition.
Mrs Cameron yesterday reiterated her stance. She said: “I along with South Antrim and North Belfast representatives of every major political party have stood on many platforms and promised our support to the local community for many years. We won’t be backing down.”
Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken, whose party is opposed to the Arc21 scheme, described Mr Girvan’s move as an “extraordinary U-turn”.
The DUP did not respond to requests for a comment in relation to the email to Mr Buick.
In an earlier statement, Mr Girvan said: “I will continue to facilitate residents, including the No-arc21 group, in putting forward their views on this issue and will continue to do so should there be a need in the future.”