NI CENTENARY: ‘We cannot give republicans a veto over 100th birthday of our country’

Speaking as the prime minister met political leaders yesterday, he said remarks by Michelle O’Neill about what she dubbed the sectarian origins of the Province only served to underline that her party is “dedicated not to the welfare and advancement of Northern Ireland but to its destruction”.

He said of the centenary: “When I met with the NIO recently to discuss this historic occasion, I put forward a range of ideas as to how this significant anniversary could be celebrated both in Northern Ireland and across the UK as a whole.

“I also stressed it was important the UK government took the lead in organising the celebrations as leaving it up to Stormont would mean everything was subject to the republican veto.”

Boris Johnson yesterday stopped in for photo opportunities on an ambulance centre in south-east Belfast, and Mr Allister noted the “obvious” importance of the UK-wide NHS to the Province’s public.

He said: “Across Northern Ireland people, whatever their constitutional outlook, have been only too happy to avail of the benefits of being part of the UK whether that be the NHS, the furlough scheme or the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme.

“Republican dogma prevents Sinn Fein from ever acknowledging this obvious reality.”

READ MORE FROM THIS REPORTER:

Boris Johnson says NI centenary is ‘obvious’ cause for celebration as O’Neill declares state ‘built on sectarianism’

Boris Johnson: Only over my dead body will there be a border in the Irish Sea

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