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Wilson 'clutching at straws over climate change'


Published on Monday 2 November 2009 14:47

THE Alliance Party says Finance Minister Sammy Wilson is "desperately clutching at straws" in his views on climate change.

Alliance environment spokesman Stewart Dickson added that a question put by Mr Wilson at Westminster showed he was using any means to disprove the theory of man-made climate change.

Mr Wilson had asked the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many scientists and academics they had met who disagree with the theory of man-made change.

The DUP MP also hit out at climate change theories in his column in the News Letter yesterday.

Mr Dickson said: “Sammy Wilson is desperate to try and prove to everyone that his stance on climate change is not ridiculous.

“By posing a question like this at Westminster he appears to be clutching at straws to show he is not in the minuscule minority of people who think the theory of climate change from humans is wrong.”

Mr Dickson said Mr Wilson’s stance is “embarrassing”.

“His opinion has brought much embarrassment upon Northern Ireland, as he has garnered many negative headlines around the world.

“He was probably the only environment minister ever across the globe who goes against the weight of scientific evidence on climate change.

“I think it’s time that Sammy Wilson woke up and realised that he is fighting a losing battle if he’s trying to convince others that the vast majority of scientists are wrong.”

The DUP hit back, accusing the Alliance Party of trying to gag people expressing their opinions.

DUP MLA Alastair Ross said: “What a very illiberal attitude for a supposedly liberal party to challenge a parliamentarian for daring to ask a question.

“The only people clutching at straws here are Mr Dickson and Alliance in trying to re-ignite a debate that is tired and worn-out.

“I assume it is not official Alliance policy to censor what questions MPs are allowed to ask or to seek to impose imbalanced debate.

“Such a dictatorial viewpoint is ridiculous and fundamentally undemocratic.”


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