Orde urged to challenge sectarian speeches
Northern Ireland chief constable Hugh Orde was urged today to be more vigorous in challenging sectarian speeches by politicians in the North.
The Green Party’s co-leader in the province John Barry issued the call ahead of their first formal meeting with the Police Service of Northern Ireland chief.
Mr Barry said “Sectarianism is just another name for racism.
“We live with it every day of our lives in this part of the world. Politicians who appeal directly or indirectly to sectarianism in their public comments and speeches have sown the seeds for Northern Ireland’s shameful reputation as a bastion of racial abuse.
“Politicians from all traditions have a grave responsibility to monitor their public utterances and actions to ensure that we do not create a cold climate for ethnic minorities, migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers.”
Northern Ireland’s Green Party has been celebrating a significant breakthrough, winning its first council seats in the province’s recent local government elections.
Brian Wilson, who defected to the party before the election, held the council seat in North Down he originally occupied as a member of the Alliance Party and then as an independent.
Bill Corry won a seat on Down District Council that the party already held when hospitals campaigner Raymond Blaney joined the Greens in 2003.
There was also a stunning success on Newry and Mourne council, where Ciaran Mussen captured a seat.
In recent months the Greens have undergone a radical overhaul, formalising ties between sister parties in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
Mr Barry and co-leader Kelly Andrews also narrowly missed capturing council seats in North Down, with the party believing it has a strong platform to challenge for an Assembly seat at the next Stormont election.
Green councillor Brian Wilson said today he would also tell the Chief Constable that the British government's treatment of asylum seekers had to change.
“While noting recent changes in detention policy, the Green Party has been dismayed to read about the detention of asylum seekers and the on-going lack of facilities, including limited access to the telephone and translation services, in some cases,” he said.
