DUP and TUV take swipes at each other after official government account tweets about Easter Rising event

Jim Allister attacked the DUP over the fact that the official account (titled NI Executive, and with the username @niexecutive) had shared pictures of First Minister Michelle O’Neill at a 1916 commemorative event in Dublin alongside the Irish president Catherine Connolly.

The DUP’s Phillip Brett responded that he was talking “nonsense”.

The tweet (which was retweeted by The Executive Office) said: "First Minister Michelle O’Neill has attended the annual Easter Rising commemoration event in Dublin.

"The ceremony, which was led by president Catherine Connolly, marked the 110th anniversary of the 1916 Rising.”

The Executive Office is led jointly by Ms O’Neill and the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly, while the Executive as a whole comprises members of the DUP, Sinn Fein, Alliance and the UUP.

The tweet was put out on Sunday.

Mr Allister said: "Unionists need to answer a very simple question: what is the point of being in government if the official Northern Ireland Executive account can be used to promote Republican terrorism?

“The DUP have repeatedly told the public that nothing happens within the Executive Office without Emma Little-Pengelly’s approval.

"They point to supposed Unionist safeguards and vetoes.

"So who authorised this post? Will it now be removed?

"And if Unionists cannot prevent this, what exactly are they in government to do?”

He added: “While Christians marked the triumph of life over death, the Executive account was used to highlight an event rooted in a tradition of murder, violence and bloodshed.

“There should be no ambiguity about what was being endorsed. Michelle O’Neill herself stated: ‘Today, we remember the generations of Irish men and women who devoted their lives to the cause of freedom.’

“This was not simply about Pearse, Connolly and Clarke – grave as that would be.

"It was about a tradition later claimed by those responsible for La Mon, Enniskillen, Kingsmill and countless other atrocities which filled graves with innocent people across Ulster.

“The issue is not that Sinn Fein holds these views – we all know that.

"The issue is that Unionists are participating in a government which allows the official Executive platform to be used in this way."

Responding to him, the DUP North Belfast MLA Mr Brett told the News Letter: “This is a nonsense point by Jim Allister.

"While others prefer to shout from the sidelines, the DUP is focused on delivering in government.

"That includes supporting our veterans and heritage at the Somme commemorations, championing vital defence jobs at the Farnborough Airshow, and ensuring Northern Ireland’s place in the Union is strengthened in practice, not just rhetoric.

“Unionism is not advanced by political grandstanding.

"It is advanced by serious engagement, delivery, and standing up for Northern Ireland every day.

"It is disappointing that the TUV continue to use all their energy attacking fellow unionists.

"We are focused on continuing to build Unionism and maximise co-operation.

"Hopefully one day, the TUV will join us on that vital endeavour.”