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16/02/2018
Alliance Refuses To Appear At Hearing Over Jamie Bryson
The Alliance Party has refused to appear before the Westminster Northern Ireland Affairs Committee because loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson is to give evidence.
Alliance leader Naomi Long and Mr Bryson were on a list of witnesses invited to give oral evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.
Ulster Unionist Party Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie MC, said Alliance were wrong to withdraw.
He said the Alliance Party's decision was "disappointing".
Mr Beattie said: 'Jamie Bryson does not represent my view of Unionism and I would disagree with much of what he says. But he has an opinion, he made a submission that was accepted, and therefore his opinion should be heard. In 2017 he also made a submission to attend and give evidence to the Flags, Identity, Culture and Traditions(FICT) Commission which has political representation from all political parties including Alliance. Nobody batted an eyelid, nobody withdrew from the commission, nobody refused to hear his views. Therefore, I cannot understand why it has become an issue for Alliance now.
"If we censored members of Sinn Fein, or the PUP or anyone else we would be accused – and no doubt by Alliance - of trying to stifle opinions no matter how difficult they are to hear. Yet Jamie Bryson is somehow seen as fair game and I find this unfair.
"I believe Alliance should think again and do what they set out to do and that is give evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and allow others to do similar, regardless if they agree or disagree with their views. Debate and a free exchange of views – especially opposing views - is not merely healthy in a democracy, it is essential."
(CD/MH)
Alliance leader Naomi Long and Mr Bryson were on a list of witnesses invited to give oral evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.
Ulster Unionist Party Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie MC, said Alliance were wrong to withdraw.
He said the Alliance Party's decision was "disappointing".
Mr Beattie said: 'Jamie Bryson does not represent my view of Unionism and I would disagree with much of what he says. But he has an opinion, he made a submission that was accepted, and therefore his opinion should be heard. In 2017 he also made a submission to attend and give evidence to the Flags, Identity, Culture and Traditions(FICT) Commission which has political representation from all political parties including Alliance. Nobody batted an eyelid, nobody withdrew from the commission, nobody refused to hear his views. Therefore, I cannot understand why it has become an issue for Alliance now.
"If we censored members of Sinn Fein, or the PUP or anyone else we would be accused – and no doubt by Alliance - of trying to stifle opinions no matter how difficult they are to hear. Yet Jamie Bryson is somehow seen as fair game and I find this unfair.
"I believe Alliance should think again and do what they set out to do and that is give evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and allow others to do similar, regardless if they agree or disagree with their views. Debate and a free exchange of views – especially opposing views - is not merely healthy in a democracy, it is essential."
(CD/MH)
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