THE Women's Coalition was described as "feckless women" with "limited intellect" by the Democratic Unionist Party at the Forum meeting yesterday. Despite an earlier warning by the chairman, Mr John Gorman, that the personal abuse which had characterised previous meetings would not be tolerated, the bickering returned.
The Forum, meeting for the first time since before the British general election on May 1st, was discussing a report by the Women's Coalition, part of which referred to sexist and derogatory remarks made during previous debates. The DUP rebutted the charge of sexist and derogatory remarks, yet in a press statement described the Women's Coalition as "feckless women" with "limited intellect".
Mr Gorman urged members to "listen to others with respect rather than shout abuse". He added: "I would like to see debates carried out with dignity and courtesy and will take a much tougher attitude when debate sinks into personal abuse or discourtesy."
The Women's Coalition's document stated: "There have been occasions when behaviour and comment at the Forum not only undermine confidence in the peace process, but also appear to contravene the spirit of the legislation under which the Forum was set up. It also condemned the "inappropriate and inconsistent" application of the rules of procedure and called for a code of practice for the Forum.
Most political parties attended yesterday's session in Belfast, with the exception of the SDLP and Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein has refused to participate since its establishment in May 1996 and the SDLP walked out after last year's events at Drumcree.
Mr Gorman said he hoped the SDLP would return. "Once again it is regrettable that we have empty seats in the chamber which should be filled by those who espouse the principles of democracy. I hope that the SDLP will change their minds."
He told the chamber he had invited the Secretary of State, Dr Mo Mowlam, to address the Forum but she was unable to attend due to commitments in her constituency.
The main debate was on the speech given by the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, during a visit to Belfast recently. The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, expressed his support for the new Labour administration, but voiced concern at the credibility given to Sinn Fein by its talks with republicans.
The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, accused the government of courting the godfathers of terrorism. "I thought there were going to be no more talks with Sinn Fein until the IRA declared a ceasefire. Then suddenly we have the announcement that talks with officials would start to take place," he said.
Dr Paisley had refused to attend the multiparty talks at Stormont earlier this week until the government reconvened the Forum.