McGuinness lashes out at 'bigots' on education committee

A committee meeting at Stormont ended in turmoil yesterday when education minister Martin McGuinness flew into a rage and called unionist MLAs "bigots".

The minister launched his outburst on assembly members after unionists claimed Catholic-maintained schools were being given preferential treatment over funding compared to their Protestant counterparts. Mr McGuinness described that allegation as "bullshit".

The minister defended his behaviour, saying: "I have repeatedly explained that the only basis for the allocation… could and would be educational need. The allegations of bias against controlled schools made by some MLAs have absolutely no substance."

However, fellow committee member Sammy Wilson MLA said: "He gave what can only be described as a most un-ministerial display of bad temper and bad manners. He was incandescent with rage, swore, thumped the table and abused members, calling them bigots."

He added: "This display was designed to avoid answering hard questions."

Committee chairman Ken Robinson said that the minister entered the meeting in "a very bullish mood" and became more irate as the meeting progressed. When Mr Robinson, a former head teacher and school governor, raised the matter of core funding for primary level pupils the discussion became more heated. Mr Robinson said that he engaged the minister in what he described as "a frank exchange of views" and was "totally amazed" at the reaction he received.

"This minister is failing our children shamelessly where it really matters because of his continued obsession with the un-tried and un-costed and, in my view, un-workable Burns proposals," he said.

The main point of argument between members was the funding deficit in the North Eastern Education Board which could see over 100 teachers made redundant as money is scarce. This situation was exacerbated, said Mr Robinson, by the minister's refusal to divert money to avert a potential crisis.

Mr McGuinness has denied that he is responsible for the crisis.

The debate over cash allocations will gather pace over the coming weeks as the education department prepares to submit its funding bid for the department of finance.

(GMcG)