Unionist fury at Dublin veto on Queen
MARY McAleese has sparked unionist fury after putting a veto on a possible visit to the South by the Queen.
After a meeting with the monarch in Belfast, the Irish President said an anticipated royal visit to the Republic could not happen until policing and justice powers were devolved to Stormont.
Unionists – who Mrs McAleese once had to apologise to after she compared them to the Nazis – were enraged.
DUP MLA Stephen Moutray said it was "frankly despicable" that she had used Her Majesty's visit as a political platform.
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said she should "butt out" of an issue which "has nothing to do with the Republic".
Colleague Danny Kennedy demanded Mrs McAleese publicly apologise to the Queen.
And another UUP MLA, David McNarry, accused the Irish President of "in-your-face republicanism".
The row overshadowed the second day of the Queen's visit which concludes in Armagh today with the distribution of the Maundy Money.
Morning View - McAleese must issue an apology
Queen meets McAleese as Republic visit 'moves closer'
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
