Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Barry McElduff Resigns

Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff has announced his resignation as West Tyrone MP.

Mr McElduff has been at the centre of controversy after a video was posted online on the anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre.

The former West Tyrone MP said he was stepping down "because of the consequences of the Twitter video which has caused such controversy over the last week".

"The deep and unnecessary hurt this video caused the families of the victims of Kingsmill is my greatest regret," he said.

"I again offer my profound apology to those families and to the wider victims community. Had I been conscious of the connection to the terrible atrocity at Kingsmill I would certainly not have posted that tweet. I genuinely did not make that connection, not for a second did I make that connection in my mind.

"Kingsmill was wrong, unjustifiable and sectarian. It should never have happened. There was no intended reference to Kingsmill in my tweet. But I do accept that there are many people who do not believe this to be the case. I accept also that this view of what happened is deeply damaging to the reconciliation process that is so important to consolidating the peace process and to healing the pain and hurt of the past.

"I cannot undo the pain caused but I know that my continuing role as MP for West Tyrone will compound that sense of hurt and impede any reconciliation process."

Sinn Fein's leader Michelle O'Neill said Mr McElduff informed her of his intention to resign on Sunday evening.

"Yesterday evening, Barry McElduff informed me of his intention to resign as Sinn Féin MP for West Tyrone," she said.

"Barry is doing so as a consequence of the unintended hurt caused to the Kingsmill victims and their loved ones by his recent social media tweet. Barry recognises that this controversy and his continuing role in public office is compounding the distress to the victims of Kingsmill, and again offers his profound apology to those families and to the wider victim’s community.

"He has said that he does not want to be a barrier to reconciliation and I respect that decision."

(LM/MH)