The Labour MP whose warning of sectarian violence prompted the Taoiseach to cancel a trip to Scotland over the weekend has resigned from his government job. Mr Frank Roy quit yesterday as parliamentary private secretary to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ms Helen Liddell, following protests.
Scotland reacted with fury when it learned that Mr Ahern would not visit because of fears raised by Mr Roy that it might cause sectarian trouble. The Taoiseach had been due to attend yesterday's football game between Celtic and Rangers before unveiling a famine memorial in Mr Roy's constituency.
Politicians and media condemned Mr Roy for using the sectarian card when police said there was no threat of danger. Opposition parties have suggested that Mr Roy's boss, Ms Liddell, or his former boss, Mr John Reid, the Northern Secretary, were behind the cancellation. They deny involvement.
In his resignation letter to Ms Liddell, Mr Roy said: "It is with regret that I tender my resignation as your parliamentary private secretary. I regret that you, as Secretary of State for Scotland, and John Reid, as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, have been falsely accused of involvement in my efforts to highlight my concerns in relation to the specific timing of the memorial ceremony in my constituency."
In an effort to repair the damage the Scottish First Minister has invited Mr Ahern to Scotland on an official visit later in the year.