Other News In Brief

Eastwood Urges MP's To 'Call Time' On PM

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has urged Conservative MPs to "call time" on Boris Johnson's premiership and end the corruption of public service that has characterised his time in office.

As Johnson faces a vote of confidence in his leadership, the SDLP Leader said that he is uniquely unfit to hold public office.

Colum Eastwood MP said: "Boris Johnson's leadership has been characterised by a cynical corruption of the ideals of public service. He has warped the principles of honesty and integrity in public life through a sustained campaign of dishonesty designed with only his own personal ambition in mind.

"The Sue Gray report was a stark dismantling of the pretence that Boris Johnson cares about anyone else. Self-gratification, parties, cake and wine while people were making the most severe sacrifices in the name of community speaks directly to his character and his leadership.

"Tory MPs have the opportunity to call time on the politics of ego, the casual law breaking and the culture of dishonesty which has infected public office during this administration. Anything less than a vote of no confidence in this Prime Minister is an endorsement of the corruption of democratic norms."

UUP Condemns 'Vile Song' About Murder Of Michaela McAreavey

UUP Leader, Doug Beattie, has condemned those involved in singing a "vile song" about the murder of Michaela McAreavey.

Mr Beattie said: "I am sickened by the video of a centenary event being used to mock the murder of Michaela McAreavey. It is absolutely abhorrent, disgusting and shameful. Those involved should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves as should those who sat, listened and cheered. This must be investigated by the PSNI and also the Orange Order with action being taken against any of those responsible.

"My thoughts are with the Harte and McAreavey families who should never ever have to put up with such sickening behaviour. I can assure them this is a minority and the overwhelming majority of Unionists will find this as deeply disgusting as I do."

Bradshaw Welcomes Launch Of Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has expressed her "best wishes" to the patients and families involved in the inquiry into allegations of abuse at Muckamore Abbey Hospital.

Public hearings begin today (Monday) into allegations of abuse against patients. It follows the passage of an Alliance Assembly motion in September 2020, tabled by South Belfast MLA Ms Bradshaw.

"I want to send my best wishes to the patients and their families today on the first day of the public inquiry into alleged abuse in Muckamore Abbey Hospital," she said.

"The public inquiry is long overdue and its establishment was hard fought by those who were impacted by their treatment at the hospital and their loved ones. Let us hope this process provides the truth, transparency and accountability lacking up until now.

"We need answers on the appallingly poor governance, including why complaints went unanswered and why the use of an unmonitored 'seclusion room' was allowed. We must ensure those in the care of our health and social care system are never again subjected to such apparent failures."