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Barry McElduff has resigned as MP for West Tyrone | Barry McElduff has resigned as MP for West Tyrone |
(35 minutes later) | |
The MP for West Tyrone, Barry McElduff, has resigned. | The MP for West Tyrone, Barry McElduff, has resigned. |
The Sinn Féin MP has been embroiled in controversy since posting an online video on the anniversary of the Kingsmills massacre. | |
Mr McElduff said he was resigning as a result of the controversy surrounding the video he posted on Twitter. | Mr McElduff said he was resigning as a result of the controversy surrounding the video he posted on Twitter. |
It was posted on the 42nd anniversary of the murders, in which 10 Protestant workmen were shot dead by the IRA. | It was posted on the 42nd anniversary of the murders, in which 10 Protestant workmen were shot dead by the IRA. |
Mr McElduff said that he did not make a connection in his mind between the video and the massacre, but he accepts many people do not believe that. | |
In the video, Mr McElduff balanced a loaf of Kingsmill bread on his head in a shop. | |
Sinn Féin suspended Mr McElduff from party activities for a period of three months last Monday. | |
Mr McElduff said the "deep and unnecessary hurt this video caused the families of the victims of Kingsmills is my greatest regret" and reiterated his apology to them. | Mr McElduff said the "deep and unnecessary hurt this video caused the families of the victims of Kingsmills is my greatest regret" and reiterated his apology to them. |
'Unjustifiable and sectarian' | 'Unjustifiable and sectarian' |
"Kingsmills was wrong, unjustifiable and sectarian. It should never have happened," he said. | "Kingsmills was wrong, unjustifiable and sectarian. It should never have happened," he said. |
He said that the view that the video was intended to refer to the massacre would "impede any reconciliation process". | He said that the view that the video was intended to refer to the massacre would "impede any reconciliation process". |
"I am an Irish republican and believe wholeheartedly in the reunification of our country and an agreed Ireland in which we heal the wounds of the past together. | "I am an Irish republican and believe wholeheartedly in the reunification of our country and an agreed Ireland in which we heal the wounds of the past together. |
"Reconciliation is essential, but that message is not being heard at this time," he added. | "Reconciliation is essential, but that message is not being heard at this time," he added. |
The sole survivor of the Kingsmills attack, Alan Black, welcomed the resignation. | The sole survivor of the Kingsmills attack, Alan Black, welcomed the resignation. |
He told the Press Association: "This past week has been truly awful for me. I am just hanging by a thread. | He told the Press Association: "This past week has been truly awful for me. I am just hanging by a thread. |
"But I am glad he has done the right thing." | "But I am glad he has done the right thing." |
He added: "I am going to have to take time now to heal. | He added: "I am going to have to take time now to heal. |
"I only got involved because of the hurt and disrespect shown to my friends who died at Kingsmills, but this whole thing has taken a heavy toll." | "I only got involved because of the hurt and disrespect shown to my friends who died at Kingsmills, but this whole thing has taken a heavy toll." |
'Bowed to the inevitable' | |
The former UUP MLA Danny Kennedy, who is a cousin of Mr Black, said Mr McElduff had "bowed to the inevitable". | |
He told BBC Talkback it was necessary for Mr McElduff to step down, and said today was "not a day of celebration". | |
"There is nothing here to celebrate except that at long last a public representative has owned up and taken responsibility for his own actions," he said. | |
Sinn Féin's northern leader Michelle O'Neill said Mr McElduff told her of his intention to resign on Sunday evening. | |
"Barry is doing so as a consequence of the unintended hurt caused to the Kingsmills victims and their loved ones by his recent social media tweet," she said. | |
"He has said that he does not want to be a barrier to reconciliation and I respect that decision." | "He has said that he does not want to be a barrier to reconciliation and I respect that decision." |