‘North of Ireland’ gaffe at conference angers unionists

Title of Labour spokesman on province is changed in official guide’s listing for event hosted by Sinn Fein

‘I do hope Louise Haigh makes it very clear that she is shadow secretary of state for Northen Ireland and not for the north of Ireland’

LABOUR has angered unionists by allowing Northern Ireland to be described using the republican moniker “the north of Ireland” in the party’s conference literature.

The official guide being handed to delegates at Labour’s annual conference this weekend describes Louise Haigh, Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow Northern Ireland secretary, as “shadow secretary of state to the North of Ireland”, in a listing for an event due to be hosted by Sinn Fein in Brighton today.

The republican party regard the name “Northern Ireland” as a British construct, with their alternative of “the north of Ireland” designed to convey their perceived illegitimacy of the nation north of the border.

Prominent Sinn Fein figures have described the unification of Ireland as a “doable project”.

But Baroness Hoey, the former

Labour minister, said: “I do hope that Louise Haigh makes it very clear that she is the shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland and not for the north of Ireland.

“I’m surprised that this did not get corrected just the way if any other country was described wrongly I imagine someone would correct it. I am sure Sir Keir will want to correct this as soon as possible.”

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said that the description “demonstrates a lack of maturity on the part of Sinn Fein”, which appeared to have been “overlooked” by Labour. “Hopefully next time they will ensure that NI is given its proper title,” he said.

The “North of Ireland” term was contained in the hard copy of Labour’s official conference guide, which features a foreword by Sir Keir, as well as in the party’s online listings.

It wrongly forms part of Ms Haigh’s job title in a listing for fringe event, due to hosted today by Sinn Fein, entitled “a decade of opportunity – towards a shared Ireland”.

The other speakers listed are Chris Hazzard and Mickey Brady, members of the Sinn Fein grouping of MPs, all of whom refuse to take their seats in the Commons, believing that to do so would “validate British sovereignty over the island of Ireland”.

It is understood that Ms Haigh did not sign off on the listing, which was submitted by Sinn Fein.

Sir Jeffrey added: “I know Louise Haigh very well and I’ve worked closely with her – I know she always described Northern Ireland with its proper title and therefore I’m sure she would not have endorsed another attempt by Sinn Fein to almost deny the existence of the place that they are elected to represent.”

Under Sir Keir’s predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, relations with unionist politicians were severely strained due to Mr Corbyn and John McDonnell’s support for the republican movement.

In July, Sir Keir said he would campaign for Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK if there was a border poll in his lifetime. “I believe in the United Kingdom,” he said.

A Labour source said: “Labour is fully committed to the landmark Belfast/ Good Friday Agreement, and to being an honest broker in Northern Ireland and engaging extensively with the five main political parties which make up the Northern Ireland Executive.”