Robinson not amused by former Alliance chairman's 'gallows humour'

An Alliance "gallows humour" suggestion that the parcel bomb sent to UK Unionist leader, Mr Robert McCartney, in Belfast should have been redirected to him in France was condemned at the Northern Forum yesterday.

The DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, in condemning the "evil attempt to assassinate Mr McCartney" complained that an Alliance member, whom he didn't name, had on Thursday illustrated a disturbing attitude about the incident.

"A member of the Alliance Party when it was learned that this was not a hoax suggested that it should be redirected to Mr McCartney because he was on holiday [in France]," said Mr Robinson.

"This kind of remark is an indication that there are those whose hatred of unionists within this chamber are such that they are prepared to concur with an act of terror," he added.

"It is a clear breach of the Mitchell Principles and I look to the leadership of the Alliance Party to deprecate the remarks, and to indicate that they will take some disciplinary action against him," said Mr Robinson.

The chairman of the Forum, Mr John Gorman, said he was unaware of the alleged remarks, which seemed "extremely improper".

Later, outside the Forum chamber, former Alliance chairman, Mr Steve McBride, admitted making remarks in jest about the bomb. "It was a gallows humour remark, just Ulster black humour and should be seen as such," he added.

Such gallows humour was the way many people in Northern Ireland tended to deal with such threats, said Mr McBride.

"If my remarks caused any offence to Mr McCartney then that is regrettable," he said, adding that the Alliance Party had always been unequivocal and categoric in its opposition to violence.