How far has the Good Friday Agreement gone, when DUP won’t shake a Catholic’s hand
Posted by Jim on February 25, 2017
News Letter. Belfast. Thursday, February 23, 2017
The DUPs Nelson McCausland has said he does not regret refusing to shake the Sinn Fein finance ministers hand during a televised election debate.
Mr McCausland claimed he had been left angry and disappointed by a number of comments made by Mairtin O Muilleoir during the program and that to accept a handshake at that time would have been disingenuous.
He also accused Mr. O Muilleoir of offering his hand for show.
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long described the incident as playground behavior and said it does not inspire confidence that the DUP and Sinn Fein will be able to work together after the election.
The DUP and Sinn Fein assembly candidates were participants in a Nolan Live election debate broadcast on Wednesday.
Towards the end of the show Mr. O Muilleoir attempted to shake hands with Mr McCausland, however the DUP man refused.
M.r O Muilleoir later Tweeted: Never refuse the opponents open hand after a contest no matter how deep the divisions or impassioned the debate.
However, Mr. McCausland said: Mairtin O Muilleoir is a man who does things for effect. He was doing it for show.
He added: It is not a question of respect. I am not averse to shaking hands with anyone. At that moment I was angry and disappointed and was reflecting on what he had said. In particular he said in Sinn Fein we believe in live and let live.
For 30 years the IRA murdered people and many republicans eulogized in the crimes. Those people werent allowed to live so it was very hypocritical to say that.
Mr. McCausland continued: I was also concerned about the finance ministers numeracy skills.
He said the Gay Pride parade was the biggest parade in Belfast. I think when you count participants and supporters nothing in the city of Belfast could rival the Twelfth of July.
Ms. Long said that the deterioration of the relationship between the DUP and Sinn Fein over the past few months was clear to see.
The Alliance assembly candidate added: This sort of playground behavior is beyond pathetic and does not inspire confidence these two parties will be able to resume a civil partnership after March 2.
n McCausland