MP in first DUP call for McArdle to resign
PACEMAKER BELFAST 2/6/2011 Mary McArdle, OF SINN FEIN WHO HAS SAID THAT THE 1984 MURDER OF MARY TRAVERS WAS A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. Mary McArdle was part of an IRA gang who ambushed magistrate Tom Travers and his family as they left Mass. Ms McArdle told the Andersonstown News - in her first public comments since she was appointed as special adviser to Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin - that she regretted that it happened and she did not believe anything she said could ease the family's grief. "If I were to begin to describe the specific context of conflict I would be accused of trying to justify her death, and I have no wish to do that."
A DUP MP has become the first member of the party to call on Sinn Fein special adviser Mary McArdle to resign.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon said the convicted murderer, who has been appointed special adviser to culture minister Caral Ni Chuilin, should give “a direct apology” to the family of her victim, Mary Travers.
First minister Peter Robinson has described Ms McArdle’s appointment as “insensitive and a mistake” and DUP MP Gregory Campbell has described her appointment as “reprehensible”.
But, as reported by the News Letter last week, both the DUP and UUP have so far stopped short of calling for Ms McArdle to resign from a position which receives a civil service salary of more than £1,000 a week.
Mr Shannon, however, said: “Sinn Fein is now in a position whereby they can listen to the views of their own community and prove to the rest of Northern Ireland that they are committed to peaceful and not harmful ways by appointing a different adviser who is not so controversial.
“I can understand the pain of the family and the fact that their grief has been dug up and enhanced by the comments made by Sinn Fein and Ms McArdle in relation to the murder, and I support their call for her resignation.”
He said he had been contacted by numerous angry constituents about the appointment, particularly once it was revealed Ms McArdle had still been speaking in republican propaganda videos of murder just five years ago.
Deputy first minister Martin McGuinness has said that Ms McArdle will not be resigning.
Asked what should happen if the adviser remains in place, Mr Shannon said there had to be “repentance” and added: “We do need to have a direct apology to the family.” Mr Shannon also backed finance minister Sammy Wilson’s review of how special advisers are appointed and said he was looking forward with “great interest” to the results.
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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