UUP repeat challenge on Employment Record
The Ulster Unionist Party repeated the challenge to Sinn Fein and the SDLP at today’s (Friday) Preparation for Government Committee to examine objectively the equality issues on employment presented to the Committee last week in a 30-page document.
Dermot Nesbitt said during the meeting that “Sinn Fein state I have a flat earth approach to equality and that Sinn Fein had issued a public statement challenging me on my sectarian comments. The SDLP has also over the years been critical on numerous occasions as to the UUP’s approach to these equality issues.”
He continued: “I made it clear at the Committee that the SDLP has gone as far, in public, as implying that I am being untruthful. These megaphone comments are unacceptable. My party is open about its position on equality – it is available on the Preparation for Government website. I invited last week these parties to engage with the UUP and still today the SDLP remains silent on this invitation. My view is simple; if they haven’t the confidence to discuss the issues then they should have the courtesy to refrain from public insult”
Dermot Nesbitt said: “We put forward the evidence for anyone to read and understand. I believe it refutes the Sinn Fein/SDLP argument about discrimination. Unionism has nothing to hide from and should be confident of its arguments.”
Dermot Nesbitt concluded: “Sinn Fein reported today that its ‘equality gurus’ are on holiday at present but will respond on their return. I do hope that their approach will be one of basing judgment on evidence and not emotion. And, on the wider human rights issue, I look to Sinn Fein abiding by international human rights norms and not, as often in the past, cheery-picking when it suits the Sinn Fein argument.”