John Hume’s family distance themselves from ‘Peacemakers Museum’

The family of John and Pat Hume have distanced themselves from a new “Peacemakers Museum” which has opened in Derry.

The Irish News reports the family claim the new museum lacks inclusivity and have also complained that of the three politicians at the centre of the project, including their father, two were members of Sinn Féin.

The museum, which opened at the Gasyard Centre, is centred on Mr Hume, former deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness and former Stormont Assembly speaker, Mitchel McLaughlin.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Hume family took the unusual step of publishing correspondence between Mrs Hume and the museum in April 2020 just months before Mr Hume died in August that year.

In their statement the family said: “Pat Hume stated in an email to the Gasyard Trust on 14 April 2020 that: ‘..I return to the fundamental concept.

“If John were well, he would invite you to change from a focus on three politicians, two of whom represent one view’.”

Mrs Hume said in 2020 that her husband would invite the museum to focus on a “diversity of political views and political lives”.

She said: “In the absence of this fundamental commitment to inclusivity, he would not wish to be involved.”

The Hume family said they had received further emails from the Gasyard Trust and that their mother received text messages but did not receive a revised concept.

Gasyard Centre manager, Linda McKinney said that the museum focused on the experience of Bogside residents in the Troubles as well as the involvement of local women.

“The families of John Hume and Martin McGuinness were invited to sit on the (content steering) group alongside Mitchel McLaughlin,” she said.

She said the Gasyard Trust would welcome the involvement of the Hume family in the steering group.

Ms McKinney said the Trust also engaged with Sinn Féin and the SDLP before applying for funding, but the SDLP failed to engage.

“We have maintained an open-door policy from the onset of this project and this will not change going forward.

“We would be delighted if the Hume family wanted to take part in the museum,” she said.

Ms McKinney said the trust would also welcome input from SDLP representatives who witnessed or played a role in the development of the peace process.

But it is unlikely SDLP members will go against the sentiments of the Hume family.

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