Communities Minister Gordon Lyons slams disruption to RAF and Army stands at Londonderry jobs fair
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says efforts "to politicise a jobs fair and intimidate participants have no place in a modern, inclusive society" after protests against RAF and Army Stalls at a jobs fair in Londonderry.
The Cross Border Job Fair, hosted by the Department for Communities, took place at the Ebrington Hotel in Londonderry on Tuesday.
A group calling itself the Derry Anti-War Coalition (DAWC) lambasted Derry City and Strabane District Council for failing to block the RAF and Army stands, despite lobbying by a councillor.
The group said the council formally supports Boycott Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, claiming UK armed forces played a significant role in the Gaza war.
DAWC also praised an individual for “confronting the RAF” stall over its alleged role in Gaza, and claimed that the Army stall was “temporarily shut down to avoid their recruiters having to face difficult questions”.
It added that the event was run by the Department for Communities (DFC) under the "divisive rule" of Minister Gordon Lyons, a DUP MLA.
"Lyons is fully aware of the overwhelming objections to British military recruitment in Derry and the corporate position of our local authority," it added.
A council spokeswoman said that the Job Fair was led by the Department for Communities (DFC).
Communities Minister Mr Lyons has now hit back at those behind disruption, saying his department works with partners across NI to help people into employment with job fairs.
"Over the last two years our regional job fairs have showcased over 12,500 local, quality job opportunities, with more than 8,000 people attending," he told the News Letter.
“I value the contribution of all employers who participate in these events, including the Army and the Royal Air Force, and I welcome their continued engagement with our employment services.
“No individual, political representative or pressure group has the right to dictate which lawful career opportunities are available to the public or to intimidate exhibitors who are participating in good faith.
“The actions witnessed at this event were unacceptable. Attempts to disrupt or prevent organisations from engaging with jobseekers undermine the very purpose of these events and are a disservice to the people they are intended to help.
“It is particularly disappointing that an elected representative chose to engage in conduct which sought to restrict choice and opportunity for others. Public representatives should champion opportunity and respect democratic freedoms, not seek to deny them.”
Londonderry UUP Alderman Darren Guy also called for job fairs to remain “free from political interference”, after what he said was footage in circulation of an elected representative "challenging an RAF recruitment officer over their attendance at an event in Londonderry".
Alderman Guy said that such people "must recognise that society has moved beyond the divisive behaviours of the past," adding that "such conduct is unacceptable and has no place in modern civic life."
He added: "No individual or group has the right to obstruct another person's chosen career path or to dictate which professions are 'acceptable' based on personal ideology."
An Army spokesperson said: “Any decision on Armed Forces’ attendance at such events is a matter for the Department for Communities and Derry City and Strabane District Council.”
The News Letter also invited Sinn Féin and the SDLP to comment.