Ben Lowry: Gregory Campbell was justified in challenging the political Irish president, Catherine Connolly

Gregory Campbell this week challenged the the Irish president, Catherine Connolly, during her visit to the Guildhall.

(Click here to read Ben Lowry’s main column about how continual uplifts to public sector pay will lead to a decline in services)

placeholder image — President of Ireland Catherine Connolly (left) shakes hands with DUP MP for East Londonderry Gregory Campbell during a civic reception at the Guildhall, Londonderry, on Thursday. He challenged her, but was not rude (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

The DUP MP was criticised for the encounter, in which he pointed out that she was now in his country (and added that he was travelling to her country, the Republic of Ireland, later for a debate).

Mr Campbell also cited her failure to use the name Londonderry and said that some people were trying to rewrite history (saying that she had mentioned Bloody Sunday, not the plight of Protestants in the west bank).

I defended him on radio yesterday. First, President Connolly did – as observers noted – react with dignity to the encounter. But Mrs Connolly in the election campaign, in which she was endorsed by Sinn Fein, said a “united Ireland” was one of her key goals. What happened to the neutrality once expected of an Irish president? After a highly political head of state in President Michael D Higgins, Ireland has elected another in her. If Irish politicians of all parties are going to push constitutional change, then unionists should respond.

Mr Campbell was not rude. He made a fair point about both legacy (Protestants were driven out of the west bank) and her failure to say Londonderry. President Connolly did refer to Northern Ireland repeatedly in her Belfast speech the day before, which was welcome. I think she could have said Londonderry a few times.