Tag Archives: DUP

The DUP and UUP have said that they are ending their participation in the leaders’ talks, branding them “fruitless”.
The joint unionist statement adds: “We have bound ourselves together to defend our community and culture from the callous disregard of those who pander to republican demands.
“We will not see our communities destroyed, police and civilians injured, and young people left with criminal records.” The statement claims that the Parades Commission has rewarded “republican threats of violence”.

Talks Collapse After Ardoyne Ruling (UTV)

dupsharia_small

Further to DUP leader Peter Robinson’s support of an anti-Islamic pastor.

Matthew writes:

“I made this (somewhat) tongue-in-cheek infographic about how The DUP, and the Sharia Law they’re afraid of, aren’t all that different.”

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU8iEwu1JIQ

Ahead of tonight’s concluding part in Eamonn Mallie’s interview with Ian Paisley (Lord Bannside), the DUP has launched a pre-emptive strike on their former leader. LAD [Loyalists Against Democracy] managed to grab a specially-edited NSFW preview (above).

Last night’s DUP statement included:

“Lord Bannside [Paisley] is entitled to his own opinions – however, he is not entitled to his own facts. The party deeply appreciates the contribution Lord Bannside made to Northern Ireland and to the growth of the DUP…We are saddened to see Lord Bannside harm his own legacy. In his later years as party leader, many colleagues shielded his frailty from public view, to avoid embarrassment and protect his legacy. Those people are hurt by untrue and bitter comments contained in the documentary.”

Party leader Peter Robinson in his satement said:

“This is not the Ian Paisley we knew. As someone who faithfully served Dr Paisley for many decades I will make one final sacrifice by not responding and causing any further damage to his legacy beyond that which he has done himself. Rather than return insult for insult, let me bless him with the mercy of my silence and wish him well.”

In tonight’s programme Ian Paisley says his relationship with Peter Robinson is irreparable:

“His ways are not my ways. He has to answer for how he works.”

Eileen Paisley says of senior DUP members:

“They assassinated him by words and deeds. Treated him shamefully.”

Baroness Paisley goes on to say in a clear reference to Iris Robinson:

“We knew where sleaze did come from. Came from Peter Robinson’s home. It came from his family.”

Paisley: Genesis To Revelation – Face To Face With Eamonn Mallie concludes tonight on BBC One NI, at 10.35pm.

Paisley: Robinson is a beast; his ways are not mine (Sam McBride, Belfast Newsletter)

Previously: Staying In Tonight?

Shots Across The Border

17/5/2011. British Royal Visits to Ireland

 

Haass talks: ‘Sense of urgency’ ahead of intense negotiations (BBC News NI)

Brian O’Leary/Photocall Ireland

pootsybear(DUP’s Edwin Poots)

Some 40% of DUP activists believe that creationism should be taught in science classes, a Belfast Telegraph survey has found. Creationism is the belief that the world, animals and plants were created “by a supernatural being less than 10,000 years ago”.

Mainstream science holds that the earth is four and a half billion years old and that life evolved from one-celled organisms. Some 50% of DUP respondents believed creationism shouldn’t be taught in science class, with 10% not knowing and 40% believing it should be there as well as, or instead of, mainstream science.

 

Won’t someone think of the dinosaurs?

Party conference: Teach creationism in science class – 40% of DUP (Liam Clarke, Belfast Telegraph)

Previously: There’s Poots As Queer As Folk

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NI First Minister Peter Robinson claims his party [DUP] represents Catholic values better than Sinn Fein or SDLP do and that “many from the Catholic community…will be voting for the DUP.”

He says his party’s stance on moral issues would also appeal to many conservative Catholics.

Hmm.

Robinson: DUP serves Catholics better than Nationalist parties (John Manley, Irish News) (behind paywall)

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(L-R) Jonathan Bell MLA, Prodsy Bear, Cllr Ruth Patterson, Health Minister Edwin Poots MLA)

Ruth Patterson

DUP councillor Ruth Patterson arriving at court earlier in Belfast to face charges of sending ‘an electronic message that was grossly offensive’ (above). Her supporters in court included MLA Jonathan Bell and Health Minister Edwin Poots.

She issued an apology after the issue came to light:

“I unreservedly apologise for this lapse of judgement. I completely withdraw this flawed Facebook comment. Murder and terrorism can never be justified in any circumstances. To descend to such a level would be to repeat the actions of those we stood against during the dark days of Northern Ireland’s Troubles.

“My ill-judged comment is completely incompatible with the polices of the Democratic Unionist Party and what is expected of me as an elected representative. I recognise that my careless comments fall short of the standards expected of anyone holding a responsible post. I deeply and sincerely apologise.”

The DUP followed up with a statement:

“Ruth’s comment was completely unacceptable and not in keeping with the party’s policies or the standard of behaviour required of our members,” said a party spokesman. “Whilst the officers of the party will clearly be looking at this issue they will take account of her subsequent statement.”

If her comment and standard of behaviour was so unacceptable, why such a show of support?

Watch here

Pic: Loyalists Against Democracy

 

British prime minister David Cameron’s plan to legalise gay marriage passed its first hurdle in the House of Commons last night – but he was unable to get a majority of his own Conservative MPs to back him.

The legislation, on which MPs had a conscience vote, passed its second stage easily with the support of most Labour MPs, Liberal Democrats and a smattering from the smaller parties, bar the Democratic Unionist Party.

Fifty-five Conservative MPs voted against the government, including DUP Upper Bann MP David Simpson (you’ll remember the hoo-hah caused last year when a recording device was found in the toilet of his constituency office, leading to the arrest of his political advisor), who brought many lols to the House with the following:

 “This is not the jurisdiction of this government, of any European government or any government in the world. This is an ordained constitution of God. In the Garden of Eden it was Adam and Steve . . . It was Adam and Eve, it wasn’t Adam and Steve.”

South Antrim MP the Rev William McCrea said moral truths learned “at mother’s knee” were threatened by the legislation, which would “wipe away” values that had held true for centuries for people around the world, irrespective of their beliefs.

The DUP. A great bunch of lads.

British MPs back gay marriage legislation (Mark Hennessy, Irish Times)

(Photo: PA)