Labour: Come on Arlene, do something better with your time
ORANGE MARCH CONTROVERSY DUP leader told to get priorities right
DUP leader Arlene Foster was last night urged to find a better use for her time after it emerged she will lead an Orange Order parade in Scotland.
Robert McLean, the executive officer at the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, confirmed the controversial Northern Irish politician will be attending the Boyne march in Cowdenbeath on June 30.
About 5000 Orange Order members from across Fife and Lothian are expected to participate.
But new Scottish Labour deputy leader Lesley Laird said Foster should be concentrating on problems closer to home. She said: “I’m not entirely convinced that, given the lack of political leadership or Assembly in Northern Ireland, this is the best use of Arlene Foster’s time.
“My advice to her would be to channel her energy into getting Stormont back up and running. It’s only then that Northern Ireland can get back to focusing on the issues that matter to the people of Northern Ireland.”
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie cautioned Foster to “tread with care, as Scottish politics is very different from that in Northern Ireland”.
He added: “Political parties in Scotland attract support from people who have different religious beliefs and that is the way it should be.”
Last night, the DUP insisted Foster will say there is “no place for sectarianism” on her visit and stress the need to build a shared society.
A spokesman said: “She will deliver the same message in Scotland as in Northern Ireland.”
The DUP were in the headlines after the vote to liberalise abortion law in the Republic of Ireland prompted calls for a similar vote in the North.
But Theresa May indicated she would not risk alienating the DUP, who prop up her minority Government. The Orange Order have about 50,000 members and 600 lodges across Scotland.