Four DUP MLA's Accused Of Failing To Declare Donations For Israel Trip

Four out of six DUP MLA's who made trips to Israel have allegedly failed to make complete donation reports, according to a report by BBC News NI.

According to the report, six MPs from the party declared receiving donations from NI Friends of Israel of £2,700 each, which was used to pay for a four-day trip they undertook in May.

However, while four of those – Gary Middleton – Foyle; William Humphrey - North Belfast; Michelle McIlveen – Strangford; and Jonathan Buckley - Upper Bann – reported the donations to the Assembly, they failed to also report them to the Electoral Commission within the required 30 days.

Responding to the BBC report, a DUP spokesperson said that "steps had been taken to rectify an 'administrative oversight'".

Commenting on the report, Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney said: "The DUP have serious questions to answer about their support for the Israeli government who have massacred over one hundred and thirty Palestinians since March this year.

"In the week that has seen controversy over the Ian Paisley scandal and links to the Sri Lankan regime, it has now emerged that four MLAs from that party failed to fully disclose a paid visit by the Israeli government to the Electoral Commission.

"The DUP have continuously given support to the Israeli government who have turned Gaza into an open air prison, demolished homes, murdered civilians and currently hold hundreds of children in jails.

"It is war crimes inspectors who should be visiting Palestine, not self-styled DUP delegations that only provide succour to an apartheid state.

"The DUP's disregard for Israel's consistent refusal to abide by international law and UN resolutions only adds to the actions of Ian Paisley who lobbied against a UN investigation into war crimes carried out by the Sri Lankan regime.

"We note the DUP's quick reaction to this matter, but the public have a right to know where the DUP stand on integrity in public office, as well as war crimes and human rights abuse in Sri Lanka, Palestine and across the world."

(MH/LM