A war of words has broken out between the DUP’s East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson and TUV Party Leader, Jim Allister MLA following attendance at a rally in Markethill, County Armagh, last night (Friday 18 February).
Mr Wilson was booed and jeered as he took to the platform after Mr Allister to address the gathered crowd. But as he began to speak the audience decided to show their disapproval and continually interrupted the MP.
At one stage Mr Allister stood up and appealed to the disenchanted attendees saying: “You’ll get your opportunity at the polls to express yourself.”
In response to the incident, Mr Wilson issued a statement today (Saturday 19 February) and has accused the TUV Party Leader of ‘electioneering’. He said:
"I was one of the first people to arrive at Markethill and I was amongst the last to leave. I walked the parade route before and after the speeches. People were craving unionist unity in opposition to the Protocol.
“They welcomed our decision to remove the First Minister until the Irish Sea Border is removed.
“Sadly the media headlines do not reflect this. They report unionist disunity. This only serves the purposes of our political opponents who want to portray unionist opposition to the protocol as dysfunctional and divided.
“Some in loyalism seem intent on manufacturing disunity where none exists. They tried and failed in Dromore. They succeeded in Markethill, thus completely undermining the strong message the organisers wanted to send out.
“Whilst Jim Allister appealed for respect, it came after he spent 10 minutes on the platform whipping up an anti-DUP sentiment in a blatant act of electioneering. Whilst Sir Jeffrey has sought to work with every hue of unionism, whether he always agrees with them or not, to get a united front and common cause against the Protocol, it seems Jim is only interested in using the Protocol to promote his and his party's narrow electoral interests. Unionism is ill-served at this time by such division.
“Regardless of how some may try to hijack opposition to the Protocol, the DUP will focus on harnessing all unionist energies to ensure the Protocol is removed.
“Does Jim want a united opposition to the protocol or not? Does he see these rallies as an opportunity to present a united front or simply to attack others sharing the platform with him?
“We stand for unionists working together, standing together, speaking together against the Protocol. Shows of disunity will hearten Brussels and undermine the cause we seek to advance."
Following the DUP statement, North Antrim MLA Jim Allister responded saying:
“If Sammy Wilson thinks unwarranted personal attacks on me helps his party’s cause, that is a matter for him and the DUP. How such helps the stance against the Protocol is difficult to discern.
“TUV is not responsible for the public perception of DUP’s protocol stance, especially after foolish talk about ‘the best of both worlds’. The public has no problem understanding TUV’s unwavering stand against the Union-dismantling Protocol.”
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie weighed in the incident, commenting on social media:
“‘Standby, standby’ DUP will punch even further right to deal with the threat from TUV.
“Ulater Unionist Party are not threatened by either, our aim is to grow unionism through engagement, inclusivity and positivity in order to make Northern Ireland work for ALL its people.”
With a looming Northern Ireland Assembly election on Thursday 5 May 2022, all political parties are fighting for every vote.