A unionist MLA has launched a strong attack on First Minister Michelle O’Neill, accusing her of displaying “breathtaking arrogance” and suffering from “political amnesia” while lecturing Assembly Members on their responsibilities in public life.
Speaking in the Assembly Chamber, the DUP’s Jonathan Buckley criticised Mrs O’Neill and her Sinn Féin ministerial colleagues, arguing that their own actions had contributed to the ongoing political tensions in Northern Ireland.
Mr Buckley referred to a “staggering arrogance” while pointing to the events surrounding the Garvaghy Road, accusing Sinn Féin representatives of having acted in a “reckless, lawless manner” and questioning the First Minister’s credibility in challenging the conduct of other elected representatives.
During this section of Mr Buckley’s speech, he said “Michelle O’Neill seems to be suffering from a case of political amnesia. It was her actions and those of her Sinn Féin colleagues — they chose to act in a reckless, lawless manner on the Garvaghy Road — that have caused deep political unease in Northern Ireland today.”
Particular criticism was directed at Mrs O’Neill’s repeated assertion that she is a “First Minister for all”.
The MLA said her commitment to representing all sections of society rang “hollow”, highlighting a number of issues on which he believes the First Minister and Sinn Féin have failed sections of the community.
Referring to Ms O’Neill as a First Minister for all, he said: “Tell that to veterans or those in the armed forces, given that Michelle O’Neill continues to block the implementation of the military covenant. Tell that to the victims, when Michelle O’Neill said that there was “no alternative” to the actions that took their loved ones. Tell that to those who are concerned about Sinn Féin’s open-border approach to illegal immigration. Tell that to the women who are concerned about the woke nonsense that is being pushed on them day and daily by Sinn Féin, a party that, to this day, cannot even tell you what a woman is. Its policies stand exposed.”
Reflecting on Unionism within Northern Ireland, Mr Buckley said “it has a choice”.
Calling for greater cooperation between unionist representatives, the MLA said: “Unionism must pull together. I say that in the face of open hostility from the First Minister and Sinn Féin and in the spirit of genuine cooperation.
“We need to work together. Unionist division is Sinn Féin’s greatest friend — you can smirk all you want — and the general public know it.
“They want to see us work together, and I will do everything that I can to make sure that happens.”
