FOLLOWING conversations with An Tánaiste Simon Coveney and the Secretary of State for the North of Ireland Karen Bradley, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said he was “furious” at the British Government’s behaviour on Legacy and he told Mrs Bradley to “immediately correct the record.”
Mr Eastwood said that the British Government needed to stop using the North of Ireland as “a political pawn in the internal wars within the conservative party – and with the DUP.”
The Foyle MLA said: “I am absolutely furious at the behaviour of both the British Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
“It is a scandal that any Government can peddle falsehoods to a Parliament and get away with it. Having spoken with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, I have told her that she must immediately correct the record in relation to legacy issues.
“The SDLP will not stand by while a British Government misleads Parliament and it goes unchallenged.
“I have explained to Karen Bradley that her actions and that of the British Government are harmful and hurtful to victims and survivors.
“Without immediate action, it will be difficult for the British Government to rebuild confidence surrounding their role in dealing with the past.
“During our conversation, I made it crystal clear to the British Secretary of State to stop using Northern Ireland as a political pawn in the internal wars within the Conservative Party – and with the DUP.
“I have been very firm, we on this island are not bargaining chips,” he added.
