Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr pictured with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn MP during a visit to the City yesterday.
The Secretary of State met with representatives from the Hume Foundation before he was given a tour of the historic Guildhall where he viewed the John Hume Peace Prize Collection.
He then joined the Mayor for a walk on the iconic Peace Bridge.
Mayor Barr welcoming the Secretary of State to the city said it was a huge honour to have him visit the city and to get the opportunity to talk about the importance of investment for the economic growth of the city and district.
She said: “I am delighted that the Secretary of State took time out of his busy schedule to visit Derry and we look forward to working with him and his Government to achieve great things for this city and district.
“By working together, we can achieve great things through our City Deal, the expansion of the Ulster University and wider investment and regeneration across our entire Council area.”
But not all were rolling the welcoming mat to the new Secretary of State.
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin accused Mr Benn of being a “hypocrite who ontinues to support arms for Israel’s Gaza slaughter”.
Said the Foyleside councillor: “”A number of us on very short notice challenged Secretary of State Hilary Benn as he visited The Playhouse.
“There can be no business as usual when the British government arms a genocide and covers up Israel’s war crimes in Gaza.
“Benn is a hypocrite who talks peace but justifies providing more arms for Israel’s genocide.
“We challenged him on his government’s complicity with Israel’s genocide and commend those attending the meeting who also challenged him directly on Britain’s continued military support for Israel.
“Benn’s party leader endorsed Israel’s genocide in Gaza and his government continues to arm the Israeli regime.
“Starmer and Benn claim to support a ceasefire, talk about reviving the failed so-called two-state solution and recognising the Palestinian state but this is all talk.
“While Starmer and his cabinet attempt to distract us, they continue to support Israel and oppose efforts to hold Netanyahu and his criminal regime to account.
“David Lammy’s smiling handshake with the butcher Netanyahu tells us all we need to know as to what side Starmer and Benn are on.
“Benn and others want us to forget what’s happening in Gaza. We won’t. We will continue to use our platform to expose their complicity and lies.
“We urge people to join the IPSC organised Rally for Gaza 6pm this Saturday at Free Derry Corner.”
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