First Minister Arlene Foster reveals '˜difficulties' of dealing with Martin McGuinness

First Minister Arlene Foster has spoken of her difficulties with the deputy first minister Martin McGuinness because of his graveside oration at the funeral of the man who, she believes, tried to kill her father.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Feb 2016, 11:32 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2016, 06:30 BST
New first minister for Northern Ireland Arlene FosterNew first minister for Northern Ireland Arlene Foster
New first minister for Northern Ireland Arlene Foster

Seamus McElwaine, a member of the IRA, was shot dead by the SAS in April 1986 as he was preparing to ambush a British Army patrol near Roslea, in Co Fermanagh.

At his funeral two days later, Martin McGuinness described him as a “highly intelligent volunteer”.

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He also described him as a “freedom fighter murdered by a British terrorist”.

Mrs Foster made the claims to a reporter from the BBC’s Spotlight progtramme which will be aired tonight.

She said: “It is quite difficult. If you talk to Martin McGuinness now, he will say that unionists aren’t the enemy, the enemy is poverty, the enemy is unemployment.

“And that’s fine, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that he thought it appropriate to speak at Seamus McElwaine’s funeral - a man who had been responsible for murdering many people in County Fermanagh.”

Mrs Foster said that despite her personal difficulties, she would work with the Deputy First Minister because “the past is the past”.

This interview can be seen tonight on BBC1 at 10.45pm.

Related topics:Arlene FosterMartin McGuinnessIRACo FermanaghBritish Army