Sinn Fein MEP causes offence with '˜rant to empty chamber'

Discussing a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, Martina Anderson told Prime Minister Teresa May she could “stick it where the sun doesn’t shine”.

Fellow MEP Jim Nicholson of the UUP said it was not the first and would not be the last time a Sinn Fein representative has embarrassed themselves in Europe.

DUP MP Sammy Wilson said the speech did not demonstrate the respect that Sinn Fein have been “preaching about” in recent weeks.

Last night she told European Parliament: “Let me put the record straight to everybody that is here, no border – hard or soft – will be accepted by the people of Ireland.

“What British armoured cars and tanks and guns couldn’t do in Ireland, 27 member states will not be able to do.

“So Theresa, your idea of a border – hard or soft – stick it where the sun doesn’t shine because you’re not putting it in Ireland.”

Of her comments, Mr Nicholson said: “This wouldn’t be the first time a Sinn Fein representative has embarrassed themselves at the European level and I am sure it won’t be the last.

“I doubt the Prime Minister will have been paying close attention to Martina Anderson ranting and raving to an empty chamber in Strasbourg at 10:30pm.

“I hope whichever MEPs were present were able to see the true face of Sinn Fein, who all too often are incapable of practicing what they preach on tolerance and respect. “

Mr Wilson, speaking on Radio Ulster’s Talkback, said Ms Anderson was “ranting like a fishwife” adding that her comments were far more offensive than anything Arlene Foster has said.

The East Antrim MP said he was not calling for the sanitisation of political debates, however he said Ms Anderson lacked the respect Sinn Fein have been championing in recent weeks.

He said: “It shows that although Sinn Fein use the language of equality and respect, when it actually comes down to it they never actually practice it themselves. It highlights once again how duplicitous Sinn Fein are.”

During her speech in Strasbourg Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson made reference to pan bread, something that may have been lost on a lot of EU members, though footage shows not many were present when she was speaking.

At around 10.30pm she addressed a virtually empty chamber stating Brexit supporters say it is the “best thing since sliced pan bread”.

She argued she has not spoken to anyone who thinks the “divorce from the EU” is a good idea.

She added: “But Ireland’s told – get over it, don’t worry about it, it’s going to be a frictionless border whatever the hell that means.”