Lack of ‘unambiguous or unequivocal’ SF apology

The lack of an “unambiguous or unequivocal apology” from Sinn Fein over the mass gathering Bobby Storey funeral last June is disappointing, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said.
By Mark Rainey
Published 1st Apr 2021, 18:38 BST
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong. Picture: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker.Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong. Picture: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker.
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong. Picture: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker.

The Strangford representative was speaking after Thursday’s Assembly motion to censure Sinn Féin ministers.

“I am one of the families who lost a loved one and who was not allowed to attend a funeral during this pandemic,” she said.

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“We are a close family and we wanted to be there for each other but we couldn’t, as we stuck to the rules and didn’t find a loophole.

“Sinn Féin knew their actions were not in the spirit of the regulations but still they chose to flout the guidance.”

Ms Armstrong added: “My intention is not to upset a grieving family. Sinn Fein brought them into the spotlight through their own actions when they decided not even a pandemic would stand in the way of a show of republican strength, in spite of health regulations put in place to protect citizens and take pressure off our health service.

“It is not enough to apologise for the hurt others may feel. It is disappointing no unambiguous or unequivocal apology has come from Sinn Féin for their actions in holding an event that went against the spirit and intention of the Covid regulations they demanded the rest of us follow. I say to them... admit you were wrong.”