Spratt Apologises For 'Nutters' Comment

DUP South Belfast MLA Jimmy Spratt has apologised following reports that he called those in opposition to the peace and reconciliation centre at the Maze 'nutters'.

The comments were made in a Stormont committee meeting.

Proposals to redevelop the former Maze prison site into a peace centre have been criticised by many campaign groups and unionist parties, including the Ulster Unionist Party.

Unionists believe the development would become a 'shrine' for republicans. Ten Provisional IRA and INLA inmates starved themselves to death on hunger strike at the Maze in 1981.

Mr Spratt said: "My comments were in no way related to any of the genuine people who have expressed concerns about the Maze project. However, in common with other DUP representatives I have been subject to a great deal of personal abuse, often from people who prefer to hide behind online anonymity. As someone who served for many years in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and lost many close friends to terrorists I find such comments particularly personally hurtful.

"I attempted to make it clear at the time that my remark was not directed at any groups or individual. However, I apologise sincerely for any hurt caused to those who believed my comments were directed at them."

Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt says Mr Spratt "knows what he has to do", following the publication of the official Hansard report on the meeting.

Mr Nesbitt said: "In OFMdFM Committee on Wednesday Jimmy Spratt said, 'we will see whether it is on the record in the Hansard report' in relation to words he uttered during comments about opponents of the Maze project.

"Hansard has now been published and is very clear. During a comment from DUP MLA, Brenda Hale saying, 'there is no local opposition to the Maze or the buildings within it', Mr Spratt is quoted as saying ‘Except the nutters'."

He added: "Mr Spratt now knows what he has to do. The ball is in his court."

(IT/CD)