Arlene Foster: Funeral undermined health messaging and raised questions over PSNI

The funeral of Bobby Storey and the multiple breaches of COVID-19 regulations that occurred on that day have eroded confidence across many institutions.
Arlene Foster, First MinisterArlene Foster, First Minister
Arlene Foster, First Minister

The presence of the Deputy First Minister and other Sinn Fein representatives undermined the Executive’s public health messaging.

Suggestions that the funeral was “meticulously planned with the PSNI” also raised serious issues for our police service. The revelations about events at Roselawn Cemetery have in turn been incredibly damaging for Belfast City Council.

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I want to see a successful and stable Northern Ireland. I believe that is in the best interests of everyone here and is key to maintaining and promoting Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom.

Instability is not good for Northern Ireland, that is why I made clear at the outset that there is no question of collapsing the Northern Ireland Assembly.

There is, however, a need to rebuild confidence in those institutions and not allow Sinn Fein’s inability to look beyond their own narrow base to weaken Northern Ireland. For the sake of confidence in the institutions of law and order, this breach must be fully investigated.

The Chief Constable has quickly moved to announce that a police officer from outside Northern Ireland will lead the investigation into events surrounding Bobby Storey’s funeral. It is right that he has moved to ensure that kind of independent investigation will take place and that it was announced quickly. Any appearance of a two-tier legal system is very damaging within Northern Ireland. It is an ongoing challenge for the Chief Constable to ensure that people see a demonstration that no one is above the law and that everyone is equally subject to the law.

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A special meeting of Belfast City Council was called by the DUP group and took place yesterday (Friday). Councillors there discussed an interim report which was requested but also agreed to the DUP proposal that an independent investigation is commissioned, and a written report produced for Councillors.

Within the Assembly too there will be further investigations into the role of Sinn Fein representatives on that day. A number of Sinn Fein MLAs have been referred to the Standards Commissioner, including by the Health Committee, whist the Executive Office Committee has agreed to seek legal advice on initiating an inquiry into the Deputy First Minister’s attendance.

I am acutely aware of the need to rebuild public trust in our devolved institutions. After a period where the Assembly and Executive had been displaying positive leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, that has been seriously undermined. I am determined however, along with other parties in the Executive to continue demonstrating the leadership which is still needed over the coming weeks and months.

We have hopefully seen the worst of the health crisis in relation to COVID-19, although caution is still needed to prevent further waves of the virus. The task of economic recovery is one which could take years. Even in the short term however there is a need for the Executive and Assembly to take decisions to help our employers get through and rebuild. At the Executive on Thursday, I was particularly pleased that we were able to lift further restrictions and keep Northern Ireland in line with England and Wales with regard to quarantine restrictions.

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Alistair Bushe