Alliance sorry over IRA chanting error

The Alliance Party has apologised for an MLA's condemnation of alleged pro-IRA chanting at a St Patrick's Day parade in Belfast after it later emerged footage of the incident was not a recording of this year's event.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th Mar 2017, 22:14 BST

Updated 24th Mar 2017, 10:40 BST

South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw issued a statement on Sunday in which she said it was “extremely disappointing some watching the main parade in the city centre decided to participate in pro-IRA chanting”.

The News Letter reported her comments in yesterday’s edition.

However, an Alliance spokesperson yesterday said: “In relation to a video circulating showing chanting at the St Patrick’s Day parade in Belfast, we were passed the video and believed it to show this year’s event.

“It is clear now that is not the case and we apologise.

“We commented on the video in good faith. Our website article has been updated to reflect this.”