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Alliance conference: Lo defends united Ireland comments | Alliance conference: Lo defends united Ireland comments |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Alliance Party's Anna Lo has defended comments in a newspaper interview in which she declared her preference for a united Ireland. | The Alliance Party's Anna Lo has defended comments in a newspaper interview in which she declared her preference for a united Ireland. |
The party's European candidate received applause as she took to the stage at the party's annual conference on Saturday. | The party's European candidate received applause as she took to the stage at the party's annual conference on Saturday. |
The South Belfast MLA rejected criticism of her remarks. | The South Belfast MLA rejected criticism of her remarks. |
She claimed the criticism came from people incapable of seeing beyond sectarianism. | She claimed the criticism came from people incapable of seeing beyond sectarianism. |
'Not be labelled' | 'Not be labelled' |
"Of course, in recent days a lot has been said about my views on the constitutional issue and many have tried to badge me as a nationalist," Ms Lo said. | "Of course, in recent days a lot has been said about my views on the constitutional issue and many have tried to badge me as a nationalist," Ms Lo said. |
"Let me make this very clear, I cannot and will not be reduced to one label." | "Let me make this very clear, I cannot and will not be reduced to one label." |
Ms Lo caused a storm among unionists earlier this week when she described herself as "anti-colonial" and said the partition of Ireland was "artificial". | Ms Lo caused a storm among unionists earlier this week when she described herself as "anti-colonial" and said the partition of Ireland was "artificial". |
She made the comments in an interview for the Irish News newspaper. | She made the comments in an interview for the Irish News newspaper. |
Irish Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste) Eamon Gilmore was among the guest speakers attending the Alliance conference on the outskirts of Belfast. | |
On Friday night, at a pre-conference dinner, Alliance members were addressed by the retiring deputy chief constable Judith Gillespie. | On Friday night, at a pre-conference dinner, Alliance members were addressed by the retiring deputy chief constable Judith Gillespie. |
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