Other News In Brief

Call For HIA Report Findings To Be 'Urgently Implemented'

Alliance Councillor Peter McReynolds has said the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Inquiry report findings must be urgently implemented if the Executive gets up and running again.

He was speaking after he seconded a motion calling for Belfast City Council to write to all party leaders in Northern Ireland to ensure the recommendations are followed through.

He said: "This is a crucial issue, demonstrating the impact the current lack of an Executive is having on people in Northern Ireland. While those individuals who suffered abuse continue to fight for justice and answers, they are unable to truly move forward from the past because of the lack of political will being shown by some parties.

"While Sir Anthony Hart's report and his recommendations won't erase the past they will acknowledge it, ensure it will never happen again and go some way to making the present better for victims and survivors.

"Alliance strongly supported this motion. Victims have been let down time and time again, however, they have kept fighting for truth and justice - to get acknowledgement, to get an inquiry, to be included in that inquiry, and they will keep fighting until they get the recommendations, and more, fulfilled by the next Executive."

Tories And DUP Called To Explain Links To Conservative Research Council

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has called on the Conservatives and DUP to explain their links to the shadowy Conservative Research Council after it emerged that it had also donated to money to a Tory Brexit minister.

Martina Anderson said: "When it was exposed that the DUP received £435,000 from a shadowy group called the Conservative Research Council to fund its lavish EU referendum campaign it raised serious questions that remain to be answered.

"Now it has been revealed that a new Tory minister in the Department for Exiting the European Union, Steve Baker, also received a donation of £6,500 from this mysterious group.

"It appears he used this money for hospitality for a group called the European Research Group, an organisation which is also reported to include DUP members.

"The public is entitled to answers about who this group is, where the money comes from, and why they are funding both the DUP and the leading Tory Brexit ministers.

"This is an organisation that could potentially have influence at the highest levels of government and there is a responsibility on both the DUP and the Tories to explain where this money came from and what their relationship is to this shadowy group."

Bonfire Organisers Urged To Show Respect

Upper Bann Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie MC, has called on Eleventh Night bonfire organisers to show respect and refrain from placing National Flags, effigies or election posters on bonfires.

Doug Beattie MC said: "I am a proud unionist and support the promotion of my unionist identity and culture. Although I am not a member of the Loyal Orders, a large part of that expression of identity and culture is based around the Twelfth of July celebrations. I, like many other people, want to see those celebrations take place in a positive light and be seen as respectful and inclusive. Therefore, I believe it is important that all unionists, of every shape and colour, should be mindful not to do anything to undermine that very identity and culture we hold so dear.

"As a soldier I have served with many nationalities within the British military and alongside members of other national armed forces. I have stood toe to toe with individuals from the Irish Republic - some were members of the Irish Defence Force, others were members of my own unit, the Royal Irish Regiment. These brave men and women hold allegiance to their own National flag, the Tricolour, while some freely give their loyalty to the United Kingdom as a member of the UK Armed Forces.

"Therefore, I ask all those who celebrate this Twelfth season to think about the perception that is created when some choose to burn the Irish Tricolour on bonfires. I fully understand that some people see the Tricolour as being linked to Republican terrorism, but at the same time it is the National flag of our neighbours, military colleagues and friends. With that in mind, I ask all those who are building bonfires to refrain from burning the Irish Tricolour or any other National flags or effigies of any kind, on them."

(CD/LM)