Minister blasted for ‘Foyle and Derry’ slight

Chairman of the Londonderry Unionist Association Terry Wright slammed the Minister for signing off the Stormont record - an answer to a Written Assembly Question - which actively deleted ‘London’ from the school’s official name suggesting the city grammar school was called ‘Foyle and Derry.’

He questioned the Minister’s decision to ignore the official name of the school as outlined in the Foyle and Londonderry College Act 1976 which gave statutory force to the merger of ‘Foyle College’ and ‘Londonderry High School’ 35 years ago.

Mr Wright blasted: “I can only assume that this the policy of the Department of Education (DE) has been established at the whim of the Minister. It is the epitome of all that is flawed in the politics of Sinn Féin and Caitríona Ruane.

“Most of the Unionist people in the city use the name Londonderry-Derry interchangeably whilst adhering to the

official name of the city for official purpose.

“The Minister, if it is her policy, is clearly incapable, such is the nature of her politics, of exhibiting the same level of tolerance and community understanding.”

Mr Wright said he believed the Minister has been elected beyond her ability, adding: “She enjoys more power than a

poor politician should have and exposes all that is wrong with the workings of the Stormont Assembly.”

The gaffe follows a divisive bid by Derry City Council to have the city’s official name changed from ‘Londonderry’ to ‘Derry’ which petered out just under a year ago and which was met by massive opposition from local Protestants, Unionists and Loyalists.

The ‘Foyle and Derry’ blooper is the latest controversial episode highlighting the sensitivities surrounding the Londonderry/Derry naming issue.

Mr Wright continued: “In refusing to deploy the long established and respected name of the school which caters for the whole community both in terms of religion and ethnicity, DE, presumably adhering to the views of the Minister, is foolishly trying to deliberately diminish the shared history of the school and the city.

“It is politics without grace and begs the question as to the extent to which the Minister can claim to represent all schools and all pupils.

“Her words often lay claim to her doing so, her actions and policies would suggest otherwise.”

The Sentinel asked DE whether the use of the term ‘Foyle and Derry’ was Departmental policy or a mistake. The Department declined to comment.