Council apology over pro-choice rally gaffe

BELFAST City Council has been criticised after it mistakenly described those behind a prochoice abortion rally at City Hall as a dissident republican group.

The description was made by a staff member in an email sent out to councillors yesterday morning. At noon, Strike4Choice held a protest at the gates of City Hall against Northern Ireland’s “outdated” abortion laws.

In an email sent out to councillors under the subject of ‘protests at City Hall — cyber crime — online safety event — Wednesday, March 8’, the staff member provided an update on a security briefing with police.

The email said: “A PSNI officer will be one of the main speakers at this event and this has resulted in dissident republican groups (Strike for Choice and SOARDH) notifying their intention to protest at Belfast City Hall.”

Belfast City Council has apologised to Strike4Choice.

A spokesman said: “Belfast City Council unreservedly apologises to Strike4Choice for any offence caused by this error.”

Green Party councillor Georgina Milne said: “I am a supporter of Strike4Choice. They have absolutely nothing to do with dissident republicanism. I am shocked that Belfast City Council got this so wrong. It shows a serious lack of awareness and understanding of current issues.”