The controversial decision by the Sinn Fein Mayor of Derry to stay away from a function in the city yesterday attended by Princess Anne, has been further criticised by his deputy and by the North's Minister for Social Development.
Ulster Unionist Mr Ernest Hamilton, who is serving his second term as deputy mayor, said that the Mayor, Mr Cathal Crumley, had failed to represent the people of Derry. Mr Hamilton, who welcomed Princess Anne to the opening of a housing scheme in Derry's loyalist Fountain Estate, said it was the duty of the Mayor and the deputy mayor to accept invitations from all sections of the community. "I'm disappointed that the Mayor didn't come. He should have been here because he would have been welcomed the same as anybody else", said Mr Hamilton.
Northern Ireland's Minister for Social Development, Mr Nigel Dodds of the DUP, who also attended the opening of the Oaklee Housing Association's 35-unit development, added his criticism. "It comes as no great surprise that a member of Sinn Fein-IRA should take the position that they have, but I think it's deeply regrettable. It is an example as to why Sinn Fein-IRA are clearly unfit for office and unfit to hold these positions."
NIO Minister, Mr George Howarth said it was not up to him to judge whether the Mayor had made a mistake by not attending the event. "The mayor's absence is a decision for the mayor to make and he's made it. But I think it is important to say that we're in a period now when people not talking to each other is not the order of the day.