I have received so many good wishes and kind words for which I am deeply grateful, from so many and those who are among the thousands who have experienced loss both during this pandemic, as well as before and after. I extend my thanks and best wishes to you all.
Today I have written to the PPS and PSNI to ask for assurance that full disclosure of all facts, evidence and relevant information to the investigation of the tragic death of young Noah Donohue will be made and that PIIs will not form part of the process seeking justice for Noah.
Anything less than Level 6 redress by
@DWPgovuk
for the
#waspiwomen
is unacceptable. I pay tribute to the women for their tenacity, for not 'going away'. Especially to those women no longer here, for whom the findings came too late. We will fight on for you.
I very much welcome the findings of the
@PHSOmbudsman
which vindicates the long, hard fought
#WaspiWomen
campaign. I now call on the government to compensate, apologise and apply this remedy to all affected women across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Block a motorway and disrupt traffic, ambulances, fire engines and you are not touched. Stand silently with your own thoughts, on a public footpath, and you are arrested for anti-social behaviour. This is utterly absurd and I will be seeking answers on this.
The moment three police officers arrest a prolife woman for standing silently on the pavement, praying in her head. I have no words to describe the deep sense of shame, embarrassment, and anger I feel when I think about what has happened to my homeland.
It is equally regressive and outdated for the leader of a party in government in 2022 to not condemn the murders of women, taken from their families and children, and killed by the IRA.
Doug Beattie’s comments on women, race & others are outrageous & totally unacceptable. There is a litany of abuse on his account & the public will make up its own mind on that. These regressive, outdated attitudes in society must be faced down.
The RUC upheld law & order, protected & saved lives with the consent & authority that a legal police force holds in a democracy. The IRA existed illegally & purely to maim, murder & destroy lives. No desperate republican narrative, out of any republican mouth, will change that.
Unite in prayer for Her Majesty the Queen; for her health, her strength, her comfort and for the supreme gift that is, always has been and always will be Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Irish Republic ignored its duty to Troubles victims, blocks calls to open its state & intelligence files to scrutiny. Irish courts upheld appeals of prominent republicans granting them 'right to silence'. It is time for the Irish Republic to deal with its own legacy issues.
Our community has been traumatised twice: by the barbaric knife attack on young children and their teacher, and then by marauding racist mobs who ran riot on our streets. Our community does not feel safe - Has not felt safe for some time now. This must change.
#DublinRiots
For those who bleat on about wanting normal politics here. This glorification of murderers is in no way normal, it's obscene. But then Sinn Fein is not a normal political party, they revel in the notoriety. This wouldn't be permitted anywhere else, it shouldn't be permitted here.
Clarification needed from
@RobinSwannMoH
as to how myself and my staff, who aren't medically trained, legally & morally challenge a member of the public on their medical reason for exemption from wearing a mask. Am I medically qualified to make that call? no. Guidance please.
The eulogising of Adams and McGuinness by Heaton-Harris is obscene. Why do people in authority incessantly rub the noses of innocent victims in the political dirt? This deluded romanticism about terror apologists is actually distorting the minds of a new generation to the truth.
I'm shocked & saddened at the suddenpassing of Jack Dromey MP. Jack was the last to speak in my W Hall debate yesterday on the Afghan Resettlement Scheme. A sincere, hard working MP for his constituents & his party. My thoughts & prayers are with Harriet & his family circle.
We can only guess, or maybe not, how much effort it took in what were her final 48 hours to stand and attend to this final duty. This is the very essence of commitment and duty when defined in actions not just words.
Astonishing! This party wanted rigorous implementation: increased checks on goods at NI ports; an enforced pet border; online shopping & parcels from GB subject to customs decs; passenger luggage on ferries checked. We fought this while Alliance supported it.
"We have a unique opportunity here in Northern Ireland to make this work," says
@SorchaEastwood
about the Windsor Framework.
Whilst we have some concerns that need to be addressed, we're glad to see a deal done and progress made for people and businesses in NI.
Watch below 👇
I can't think of anywhere respectable around the world where the shameful display in this image would be tolerated. Utterly sick glorification of violence.
I admire Republicans who have expressed contrition and remorse for their actions, who recognise that what we did to each other during the Troubles was wrong. I don’t and will never respect those who think it is big and clever to pose with an RPG in some kind of sick glorification
Having the lived experience of civilian massacre and atrocities committed by unrepentant terrorists I truly with a whole heart say that I stand with Israel 🇮🇱🇬🇧
I support the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill. Trophy hunting is cruel, barbaric & decimating vulnerable species. British trophy hunters are at the heart of this archaic industry. We must carry on the work of Sir David Amess MP by ensuring the success of this Bill.
The arrogance of this comment. The erroneous and ill-thought assumption about what damages anyone, let alone a woman who as an 8 year old child held her father's bloodied head in her arms on the kitchen floor after the IRA attempted to murder him. Shameful.
I honestly cannot find the words to fully describe the absurdity of this woman seeking out offence, where to most, there’s none to be found.
Years of no, nay, never has irreparably damaged her.
If parading the naked and defiled body of a young female German tourist for the cheering hordes to spit on is considered a victory in all of this then your sense of humanity is broken.
July 21 marks the 50th anniversary of Bloody Friday when the IRA exploded 22 bombs in Belfast killing 9 & seriously injuring 130, issuing further hoax warnings that reduced the response of police & services. A good friend was a fireman on duty that day.This is blatant disrespect.
This is reprehensible, utter insanity. What does killing a full-term baby at the point of birth achieve? this is simply a monstrous form of euthanising babies.
The Alliance Party's deputy leader is pushing for the law to be changed so that women can terminate foetuses up to the point of birth for any reason without risking punishment:
#ProLife
#prochoice
#abortion
Many thanks to my colleagues for their excellent contributions in today's Westminster Hall debate on Eye Health. Great to meet with the Minister for Primary Care and Patient Safety Maria Caulfield MP & focus on the importance of early diagnosis & treatment for the best outcomes.
Can the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
@chhcalling
clarify why the sender and recipient, both UK residents, have seen their item tampered with by
@ukhomeoffice
?
The Jewish boycott was the first coordinated action undertaken by the Nazi regime against Jewish businesses and goods in April 1933. The result completely destroyed Jewish economic life.
Ireland in 2023 👇
Israeli goods taken off the shelves in Lidl in Tallaght. These should not be for sale.
Will be continuing to target and protest
@lidl_ireland
until they stop stocking Israeli products.
#BoycottIsrael
#BoycottIsraelProducts
It's called Article 11 Michael and it goes like this: Article 11 protects your right to protest by holding meetings and demonstrations with other people. Hope that clears up any confusion.
Disappointing to see the UUP attending the anti-protocol rally. We need longterm solutions via negotiations. So much for pragmatic Unionism- back to 'Ulster Says No' tactics
In commemorating those whose purpose was to exterminate innocent human beings you commemorate criminal guilt, however you dress up your right to do so. They committed some of the most heinous crimes imaginable & instead of looking to the victims SF have looked away from them.
Proud to join the family, friends & comrades of Thomas McElwee 🇮🇪to mark his 42nd anniversary.
“Remember, Thomas was only 23 years old when he died. Despite the adversities that he faced, he was filled with hope & aspiration; ambitious for himself, this community, & the future.”
@EllyMakes
Elly I am so sorry to learn about this devastating situation for you. I am certain your talents and drive to continue will not be curtailed and your clients will stick by you. Answers must be sought and delivered as to how this happened.
If her MPs turned up and actually fulfilled their duties Mrs O'Neill would be better informed. The DUP are working to get this payment released from the source of the blockage - Westminster - and we'l continue to fight for the release of this payment for all in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin has worked together with other parties to recall the Assembly, as we try to form an Executive & release the promised £600 support payment.
I refuse to give up on supporting workers & families this Winter.
The DUP must come to their senses & stop blocking this payment.
Happy Ulster Day! As the rainbow end at the Town Hall in Newtownards today, we are thankful for the Promise that the words etched in blood remain true as we celebrate our nation together.
Two Irish citizens, a little girl and a young woman, slaughtered by Hamas terrorists and out come the Palestinian flags. The absence of thought, commonsense and guidance in these images is shocking.
The photos and videos included in the original post.
Were they embarrassed or ashamed?
“Our revenge will be the laughter of our children” at the end, followed by what seems to be a roar of applause.
Shocking. This should not be permitted in schools.
I've submitted a formal complaint to
@ChiefConPSNI
after the projection of vile images glorifying & supporting Hamas & its atrocities of Oct 7th onto Belfast City Hall by republican groups. The UK stands with
#Israel
. This is the vilest of hate crimes & will not be tolerated.
I prayed again this morning, on the 25th anniversary of the Omagh bombing, for those whose lives and community were blown apart by unrepentant republican terrorists. I continue to stand with the victims and community of Omagh in their quest for justice that is too long overdue.
I've raised the matter with Minister
@JohnnyMercerUK
that genocidal attacks on the Hazara people being forcefully deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan, be urgently addressed. Too many have died in the past 24 hrs from targeted attacks on these vulnerable people
@APPGHazara
The starting point for any discussion on our nation's flag is this: the flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is welcome anywhere and everywhere.
As I mourn the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I praise God for a life well lived & lived for her country & her Saviour. On her home call, my prayers are for her loving family & in particular the King. May the God of peace and comfort be their stay in the dark days ahead.
@AobhHollywood
Sorry to learn of this Aobh. Checked through the system and electoral register using your name and there's no emails from you. Always happy to help though jim.shannon.mp
@parliament
.uk
The RAF & HMS Diamond will be in my thoughts & prayers over the coming days as they embark on a mission for which a democratic nation's military should exist - to protect & ensure the safety & security of international shipping lines from terrorism. It is our duty to do so.
As the uncle of an organ recipient I am delighted with the positive efforts today in getting Dáithí's Law progressed. It was a privilege to meet with Dáithí and his parents.
There is uncertainty as to whether government buildings in Northern Ireland will follow a request by the government to fly the Israeli flag and use outside lighting to show solidarity with terror victims in Israel.
In 2024 no Jewish person in this country should hide or be told to go elsewhere. Your job is not to remove him but to protect him, now more than ever. Disperse the rabble rousers instead.
A Jewish man tried to walk through his own city last Saturday and was told he’d be arrested. That his simply being Jewish was “antagonising” the pro-Pals. The admission that there’s more of “them” is grimly revealing. I am ashamed and appalled. Britain has to be better than this.
On Jimmy Lai’s 1000th day in prison, I call on the Prime Minister & Foreign Secretary to publicly urge the Hong Kong government to immediately and unconditionally release Jimmy Lai, and to reaffirm Jimmy Lai's British citizenship. Jimmy Lai is British
#JimmyLai
#FreeJimmyLai
Shocked and deeply saddened at the death of Sir David Amess MP. David was a kind, utterly committed Member of Parliament for his constituents. An absolute gentleman. My deepest condolences to his wife and children.
Another conversation with a constituent whose business is frustrated by the NI Protocol. His tractor impounded in Liverpool. 'Make Alliance MLAs go and see with their own eyes the situation for people like me at the Liverpool docks' he said. I assured him we will stand firm.
In the UK, the percentage of
#dialysis
patients receiving home therapies has increased from 3.4% in 2011 to only 7% in 2022. I will call on
@NHSuk
+
@DHSCgovuk
to ensure the target of 20% of patients dialysing at home is not missed, and patients get equal choice about their care.
As the Holocaust moves from living history to history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the six million Jewish victims and also pay tribute to the survivors. Proud to sign the Book of Commitment
@HolocaustUK
.
Until we change the rules allowing for convicted criminals to refuse to appear in the dock for sentencing, there should be a facility for relaying via live-stream the audio of the sentencing and the victim impact statements into the room in which the convicted criminal is held.
I'm attending the coronation this week to show respect to people from different traditions who share our island.
But the cost to taxpayers is unjustifiable, especially when we're told there isn't enough money to pay for kids school meals. It's just wrong.
I want to express my gratitude to all emergency services personnel out on the job today in very dangerous conditions. And my absolute admiration for airline pilots! ✈️
1) Members must understand that rather than focusing on the fact that this deal isn't good enough yet & can't receive unionist support, the House should be concerned with the fact that a deal with Europe affecting the sovereignty of the courts & the place of NI within the union..
BREAKING: One of the two British sisters who has been missing since Hamas militants stormed their home in Israel has died
Read more on the Israel-Hamas war ⬇️
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
This week I attended
@cftrust
's parliamentary online briefing of a new report, produced with the
@BristolUni
, revealing the added costs of living with cystic fibrosis are £6,500 a year. I then brought a debate in Westminster Hall on the impact of Cystic Fibrosis on living costs.
I strongly condemn the vile abuse being directed at Gill Walton CE of the RCM. It is galling to have this kind of hostility & abuse thrown at the organisation which seeks to provide the best care & advice for mothers & babies. I support the vaccine effort and
#IstandwithGILL
Delighted and proud of Strangford Olympian
@BethanyFirth2
who has won a silver medal in the women's 200m Freestyle in Tokyo this morning. Congratulations Bethany we are proud of you.
I welcome the Inquiry however we must never lose sight of where the responsibility will always lie - with the degenerates who planned and carried out this atrocity.
My thoughts are with the Omagh families who have campaigned for almost 25 years with dignity and determination.
Their campaign for the full truth about the killings of their loved ones has taken a big step forward today with the announcement of an independent statutory inquiry.
@RepBrendanBoyle
Let me make this clear for slow learners State-side - the Northern Ireland Protocol IS an infringement on the Good Friday Agreement. Now Brendan, you have just been educated.
I have long supported the call for Blair Mayne to be awarded the VC. He was instrumental in the foundations of the SAS. He is part & parcel of what we are today. I have today, again, written to the Defence Secretary asking for his gallantry & service to be recognised with the VC.
We are devastated at this loss. A gentleman, a talented politician and, as we all know so well, a devoted husband to Laura & an adoring daddy to his four beautiful children of whom he was so deeply proud. My deepest condolences to Laura, their 4 children and the family circle.
2) has been shoved through this house by this govt in a format avoiding scrutiny & due process & on that point of principle members should vote against this govt for refusing to have the courage of their convictions & face rigorous debate on this serious constitutional issue.
Chris, HMRC does not have offices in Ireland, they only exist across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Your nearest one is in Belfast, in what is a British, not Irish, jurisdiction.
Someone needs to tell this arrogant British politician that he was in Ireland today where Irish people & their politicians live. If he doesn’t get that, then he needs to read the GFA- granted, not always the done thing for those holding his Cabinet position.
78 years ago today, before the Liberation of Auschwitz, began the enforced March of Misery. On the roads where thousands of prisoners from Auschwitz were forced to march there are few memorials, mostly graves. Remembering the thousands who perished in this inhuman atrocity.
The Russian people do not want war with their neighbours, this is Putin's reign of terror. His thuggish actions have begun to claim lives and displace Ukrainian men, women and children. We stand with the people of Ukraine and must stand ready to assist those who flee this terror.
I am deeply saddened on learning of the passing of my good friend of 15 years, Tony Lloyd. We enjoyed many great conversations & his company was such fun to be in. He was a very good friend to Northern Ireland. I pass on my sincere sympathies to his family.
We benefit as much from our Polish citizens & their contribution to the UK as we did in 1940 from the huge courage of Polish pilots in the Battle of Britain. It's our duty to celebrate the courage of Poles, like Maj Karwowski, & educate the next generations about their heroism.
A Polish war hero, the insurgent of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, has completed his last mission - by proudly walking his granddaughter down the aisle.
Two days later, Major Bronisław Karwowski retired to the eternal guard at the age of 94.
I am just out of a meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following an urgent discussion of the effects of flooding particularly impacting on NI farmers. I expect a positive announcement to be made later today.
A well co-ordinated and collective 'lapse in judgement' by the entire room that lasted way beyond a moment. Maybe cut your repertoire of 100 songs to 99 if there is a next time.
Republic of Ireland players Chloe Mustaki and Aine O'Gorman apologise after a video emerged from the dressing room after their World Cup play-off win over Scotland
#BBCFootball
I will be presenting my Automatic External Defibrillator Public Access Bill for Second Reading on Friday Dec 10th. Defibs within 3 minutes of anyone, anywhere, in public spaces. Please support!
@DefibStoreLtd
Proud to join MPs yesterday to call for fair & fast compensation for
#WASPI
women. Women had the goalposts changed without their knowledge at the last minute. DWP should work quickly with WASPI reps to ensure fair & fast compensation is paid to those affected as soon as possible.
We used our mandate and showed our compassion and responsibility by turning up and hammering this issue out day after day, week after week in Westminster. Sinn Fein use their mandate to not bother.
Alot of people are relieved the £600 fuel support payment will be made in January. We still need the DUP to end their boycott of the Executive & Assembly, its shameful their lack of compassion & responsibility for people who need them to do their jobs.
Pleased to join
@APPG_HIV_AIDS
&
#HIVOutcomes
event. With data highlighting stark inequalities, we must support all living with
#HIV
to have a good quality of life. This will also be critical in achieving UK Govt target of ending transmissions by 2030.
.
@conormurphysf
welcomes the help announced for families announced by the Treasury today, although adds “it’s a big belated”
Says he will work with the Treasury to get clarity on how the £400 announced for households in GB can be paid to families here.
With the other hostages Hamas has also released 10 Thai men and 1 Filipino. Strange that nobody mentioned them before. But all human life is valuable
#HostageRelease
Today at Westminster Abbey I paid my respects to our Glorious Dead on this Remembrance Day 2021. I laid a wreath at the Roll of Honour in memory of those who served in the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. They gave this country their lives and service.
Disgusting to hear Frank Lowenstein, former US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace on Newsnight last night effectively admitting that the US will allow Israel a few weeks of bombardment and bombing before reigning them in. Shows you the wanton disregard shown for Palestinians.
Another tragic genocidal attack unfolds in Kabul, Afghanistan today, with reports of an explosion on a public bus carrying innocent Hazara civilians near Golai Mahtab Qala in Dasht-e-Barchi. The number of casualties is feared to be high.
#StopHazaraGenocide
🕊️💔
The NI Arts Council has announced a £10,000 grant for Musical Instruments for Bands! There's a limited pot of £200,000 so I want to give Strangford bands the best shot at securing these funds. My office is ready to assist with the application. The deadline is the 2nd of October.
Our police removing pictures of the missing little Israeli children. Again, the path of least resistance. It indicates surrender and guarantees failure.
239 men women & children being held as hostages by evil terrorists is not 'one side of an argument'. It's a reality. Israel is releasing a higher number of people than Hamas...did you question the value placed on life by Hamas? even though they place NO value on life whatsoever.
Morning everyone,
We often put one side of an argument to a guest so they can offer a counterclaim
Yesterday, I raised a controversial view from an earlier guest to allow another to respond
Each morning we’re dedicated to presenting fairly the news of this war
#IsraelHamasWar
Waiting on a response from
#actionaid
whose every press release has failed to make a single mention of the mass rape, torture, murder & abduction of Israeli women and girls on October 7th. Do Israeli women & girls matter to
#ActionAid
?
@NicholaMallon
@rodneyedwards
Shocking that you are having to deal with this as well Nichola. Keep on doing the good work and let the police deal with them.
Remembering these 10 innocent men lined up and shot, including a teenager who cried out for his mother. The savages who committed this atrocity are akin to the Nazis who lined up Jews, Gypsies, women and children and shot them without mercy. Sheer depravity. Remember
#Kingsmill
Inflicting sexual violence as a weapon of war against women and children is a war crime. Since when is capturing the terrorists responsible for it a war crime? appalling attitude and 'you're not even hiding it'.
Whilst welcoming the FAI's apology for this insulting and offensive behaviour, we know that we'll not see an end to this kind of republican outreach just as we wont see an end to Sinn Fein MPs celebrating and glorifying terrorists who murdered 6 month old baby girls.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has apologised after a video of players from the women’s team circulated on social media, showing a number of footballers appearing to chant ‘Oh Ah Up the Ra.’
As Northern Ireland MND Champion I’m delighted to celebrate Global MND Awareness Day today. We are hosting events across the UK this week and in Northern Ireland in particular tomorrow.
#GlobalMNDAwarenessDay
@mndassoc
Remember it didn't start with gas chambers; it started with ignorance, it started with denial, it started with people turning a blind eye to what was right under their nose. Then came the denials the gas chambers even existed.
Sorry, what’s the claim here exactly?
That Al-Shifa hospital is a Hamas command and control centre because injured hostages were taken there for medical treatment?
The presence of injured hostages definitely justifies Israel’s massacre of the hospital. Case closed.