Hazzard ‘not fit to be MP’ for attending republican funeral

Hazzard ‘not fit to be MP’ for attending republican funeral

8 July 2020

SOUTH Down MP Chris Hazzard has been criticised by an Ulster Unionist councillor for his attendance at the recent funeral of leading republican Bobby Storey.

Slieve Croob councillor Alan Lewis claimed that Mr Hazzard was “not fit to be an MP” and that he “misjudged” and misunderstood his responsibilities in attending the controversial funeral during continuing lockdown restrictions. 

The Sinn Fein MP defended his attendance and said the funeral was “in line with the public health guidelines”.

Current restrictions state that attendance at a funeral home is determined by how many people can be safely observe social distancing of at least two metres, while a maximum of 30 people are permitted to gather for committal at a grave.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has faced calls from the other four Stormont parties to apologise for her attendance last week of the heavily attended funeral which was claimed to have breached the guidelines.

Cllr Lewis said the Stormont health warning for funerals was “stood on its head when thousands of republicans gathered in Belfast to bury former convicted terrorist Bobby Storey”.

He went on: “Pictures have emerged of Mr Hazzard standing side by side with other mourners,” continued the councillor. 

“In one photo he is among by a crowd of over 100 watching the narration at Milltown Cemetery. Is it a case of do as we say, not as we do? Republicans seem to think they are above the rules, beyond reproach.

“How do we as elected representatives continue to ask people stick by with the guidelines, continuing to safely social distance, stay aware stay safe when they see their local MP blatantly disregard the rules to attend the funeral of a former prisoner and terrorist?  

“Quite frankly, Chris Hazzard isn’t fit to be an MP. It’s utterly shameful that our MP played his part in hurting those many families across South Down who have been unable to grieve.”

Mr Hazzard said “no family’s grief is more important than any other” and that he understood that the past few months had been “very difficult and painful” for many people, particularly for those who lost loved ones during the lockdown.

He said: “I understand the hurt and pain of so many families who have been bereaved and my thoughts are with each and every one of them.

“I too was heartbroken at the loss of my close friend and colleague, Bobby Storey, following his untimely death. I attended his funeral in line with the public health guidelines.

“The funeral was organised in accordance with the wishes of his family and the organisers took every care possible to ensure it adhered to the guidelines on social distancing and public health.”

Mr Hazzard stressed that Covid-19 was still present in the community and the public wanted to see the Executive working together to meet the challenges presented by the health crisis and steering a way to economic recovery.

He added: “We have important work to do and Sinn Fein remains fully committed to power sharing and to the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.”