Maze Stadium Plan 'A Winner' Says Former Minister

Locating Northern Ireland's national stadium at the former Maze prison site is the only worthy option - according to a former NI Executive Minister.

Edwin Poots, speaking for the first time since being replaced as Arts and Culture Minister, does not believe he had lost his job because of his support for the controversial Maze stadium project.

He is also still firmly of the opinion that the plan to build a national stadium at the Lisburn site remains the best option.

In fact, he believes - when all the options are weighed up by the new Minister Gregory Campbell - his successor could reach the same conclusion as he did, as no other plan "stacked up".

He also believed some NI civil servants were opposed to the scheme, and he wasn't withdrawing that claim.

As reported in the Lisburn Star newspaper, he said: "I had the Department of Finance and Personnel in mind. Very often they are too cautious.

"The North West gas pipeline was opposed by the DFP in the last Executive, but the two Ministers, Reg Empey and Mark Durkan, overruled them and they were right.

"Civil servants wanted the (Belfast) Odyssey arena to have 4,500 seats instead of 8,000.

"We know now that would not have worked so sometimes politicians have to take the big decisions, that's our job.

"The Maze wasn't something I was prepared to concede on, it was a principle issue.

"I wasn't prepared to back off and I still haven't given up on something significant at the Maze," he said.

However, Mr Poots acknowledged Northern Ireland remains 'Belfast centric' - an historical legacy he said with all but two government departments based in the city and greater area - rather than elsewhere in the Province.

"I am not against Belfast being developed," he continued. "It is our capital city and I am delighted to see the progress there and as Minister I had an input into that, but I don't see the level of reciprocation across the rest of Northern Ireland from people who think everything should be sited in Belfast."

"Being an MLA is a seriously busy job and it's the work I enjoy. I look forward to vigorously and aggressively representing the Lagan Valley constituency.

"That was one thing I didn't like about being a minister. I wasn't able to fully focus on my constituency and I didn't forget the only reason I am holding political office is because the people of Lagan Valley vote for me."

See: Stormont Play-Off Over Maze Stadium

See: Still No Decision On Maze Stadium

See: Fresh Dispute Over Maze Stadium Proposals

(BMcC)