Stormont misogyny claim: Alliance man's apology for 'clumsy' reference to UUP woman as DUP's little sister
An Alliance MLA has apologised for a “clumsy” comment in which he referred to the UUP’s sole female MLA as the DUP’s “little sister” during an Assembly debate.
Diana Armstrong raised the issue with the Speaker on Tuesday, accusing David Honeyford of having made a “deeply misogynistic” remark – saying she is her own woman, and “no one's little sister”.
It is the latest in a series of rows in the Stormont chamber over allegations of sexist behaviour by men.
In September, Alliance leader Naomi Long said one of her MLAs was “quite right” to refuse to apologise, after Nuala McAllister challenged the deputy speaker, the UUP’s Steve Aiken, accusing him of sexism, and was asked to leave after refusing to apologise.
Speaker Edwin Poots later called on her to apologise for challenging the authority of the chair – but she refused.
On Tuesday, UUP deputy leader Mrs Armstrong raised comments by Mr Honeyford with the Speaker.
“I wanted to place on record my disgust at comments made by the Alliance member for Lagan Valley, Mr Honeyford, yesterday in the EU customs debate.
“Mr Honeyford referred to me, and I quote, as the little sister of the DUP. This comment was distasteful, was dismissive and deeply misogynistic, and I am no one's little sister. I am my own woman, and I will not be lectured by this person in this manner”, she said.
During a debate on Monday, the Lagan Valley MLA, addressing the DUP’s Jonathan Buckley during a debate on a UK-EU customs union, said: “That sums up everything that we need to know about the DUP and your little sister – I was going to say "brother”, but it is "sister" here this evening — the Ulster Unionist Party, along with the TUV. We need to secure more markets, not fewer”.
Responding to Mrs Armstrong’s comments, Mr Honeyford told MLAs his language was “clumsy and made in the heat of a debate, but any offence was absolutely unintentional”.
He said the comments “were directed at the party and their serious lack of challenge to the DUP, and they weren't made to the individual”, but apologised for any offence that was caused by his remarks.