Events company issues sincere apology for 'unacceptable and factually inaccurate' depiction of Belfast
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The company’s assertions about Belfast, ahead of a major conference on cyber security, were highlighted by the Nolan Show on Friday morning.
Up to 2,000 delegates from around the world are expected in the city for the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) annual conference at the Waterfront Hall ICC.
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Hide AdThe Nolan Show revealed that a number of contractors working at the conference had to agree to abide by a several conditions whilst in Belfast for their own safety.
One is not to venture outside of the city centre as the housing estates in the vicinity could be dangerous. Another is not to use the black taxi tour companies as they are ‘run by IRA’.
A number of taxi drivers called the show to lambast the company for publishing such inaccurate and inflammatory comments.
A statement from the events company on Friday afternoon said: “Bray Leino Events is the delivery partner of CYBERUK 2023 working in collaboration with NCSC.
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Hide Ad"We acknowledge that statements made in the internal document for CYBERUK support staff were unacceptable and factually inaccurate. We sincerely apologise for any offence caused by these actions.
"We can confirm that the document has been withdrawn and a revised document along with an apology is being distributed to all accredited staff.”
A Tourism NI spokesperson said: “Tourism NI, Visit Belfast and Belfast City Council collectively support a scheme to bring conferences to Northern Ireland. Major conferences such as CyberUK2023 bring a wide range of benefits to NI including high spending visitors, jobs and the attraction of inward investment.
“Tourism NI welcomes the withdrawal of the inaccurate and offensive contractor briefing about Belfast by the CyberUK2023 organisers. We wholeheartedly reject the misinformed contents of this document, which do not reflect the fantastic experience enjoyed by visitors to Northern Ireland.
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Hide Ad“Given Belfast’s excellent track record in hosting similar conferences, we look forward to welcoming this flagship two-day event and its delegates to the city next week and will continue to work with our partners to highlight all that Northern Ireland has to offer.”