Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MP’S BURNING QUESTION FOR POOTS BATTLE
Girvan U-turn quiz over incinerator
A DEMOCRATIC Unionist MP has been unable to rule out U-turning on backing Edwin Poots for the party leadership after flipflopping on controversial incinerator plans.
South Antrim representative Paul Girvan did not respond to requests when asked if he could guarantee his vote for the challenger.
It emerged yesterday the vote to elect a leader and deputy leader of the DUP will take place on May 14.
Mr Girvan sought to distance himself from a letter by all eight DUP MPS lobbying in favour of the Arc21 waste incinerator in Co Antrim.
The letter was sent on the same date he emailed a protester against the £240million proposals expressing continued support for the campaign.
After the Mirror reported on the U-turn, Mr Girvan wrote to Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon saying the MPS’ letter did not represent his views.
He wrote: “My view is, and remains, that your department must make a decision on this application, which has been in the system for almost seven years.”
In 2019, Mr Girvan said “better ways exist to deal with waste. This project should be ‘incinerated’ and the community allowed to move on”.
But in February the DUP’S eight MPS wrote to Ms Mallon calling for the “early delivery of a planning approval”, describing it as a “vital strategic project”.
On the same date, a staffer for Mr Girvan emailed on his behalf to Colin Buick, chair of the No-arc21 campaign group.
The MP said: “I have been a supporter of the group since its inception.
“My position has not changed and I continue to support you and the group.”
Mr Buick described as “bizarre” Mr Girvan’s change of position when the MPS’ letter to Ms Mallon emerged.
A video message from Mr Girvan was posted online on Friday in which he endorsed Mr Poots’s bid to succeed Arlene Foster as DUP leader. He said: “I wish to endorse my friend and colleague Edwin Poots in his bid for the leadership of the DUP.
“I have known Edwin a lifetime and I believe he has the skills, strength and determination to lead our great country and our party.” The Mirror asked Mr Girvan if he could state if he is for or against the incinerator plans.
He was also asked if he can guarantee he will not change his position on endorsing Mr Poots, who is facing competition from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.