'Leadership is most visible in moments of uncertainty': First Minister Michelle O'Neill criticised for not attending security briefing on Middle East

It was first reported by the BBC that Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly did attend the briefing and she told the broadcaster that Sinn Fein's Ms O'Neill had been invited but didn't attend and that she didn't know the reasons behind her decision.

The BBC also reported that The Executive Office, which is led by the first minister and deputy first minister, said both women were offered a meeting by the Cabinet Office.

A spokesperson said the deputy first minister attended “on behalf of the Executive Office”.

Sinn Fein have been contacted for comment.

Ms O’Neill’s only comment on the ongoing crisis was a social media post on X, where she outlined that “violations of the UN Charter during ongoing negotiations in the Middle East are deeply troubling”.

Reacting to the news that the first minister did not attend the meeting, DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen MLA said people across Northern Ireland require leadership after being “genuinely worried” about the developments.

She added: “Many have family members, work colleagues, employees and business interests in the region. This is not abstract geopolitics. It is personal for many households here.

“In moments of international instability, the people of Northern Ireland are entitled to expect that their first minister will take every opportunity to be fully briefed and engaged.

“If the first minister was completely indisposed for some unavoidable reason, it would have been reasonable to nominate another ministerial colleague to attend in her stead. That is standard practice in government.

“Leadership is most visible in moments of uncertainty. People want reassurance that Northern Ireland’s interests are being represented at the highest level and that every available channel is being used to support citizens who may be affected.”

A TUV spokesperson said the actions show that “Sinn Fein remain unfit for government”.

A statement added: “It is telling that while Ms O’Neill found time to criticise the attack on Iran, she did not attend the security briefing. She was more interested in taking a shot on social media against the US and Israel than looking after citizens she is paid to represent.”

In a social media post on X, UUP leader Jon Burrows said: “As First Minister (for all) Michelle O’Neill should be attending such security briefings. Many Northern Ireland people are in the Middle East currently and have families here who are worried.”

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has expressed “solidarity” with the leaders of several Middle Eastern countries “in the face of dangerous Iranian escalation” following joint US-Israeli air strikes.

Downing Street said the prime minister had spoken to the kings of Jordan and Bahrain as well as the crown prince of Kuwait yesterday as strikes continued across the region.