Sinn Fein election posters spark row

In the run up to the Westminster Election on May 6, election posters have as usual become a common sight across the City.

However, a resident of the Fountain estate has said that the placement of posters of Sinn Fin candidate, Martina Anderson, on the Cenotaph perimetre itself is offensive.

William Jackson told the Sentinel: "I am totally disgusted that Sinn Fin have desecrated the memorial in this way. The memorial after all represents both sides of the community and shouldn't be used to place any political posters on it all."

Whilst Sinn Fin posters have already appeared on all approach routes to The Diamond Cenotaph - at Ferryquay Street, Bishop Street, Shipquay Street and Butcher Street - it is the placement of Ms Anderson's image on lamp lights built around the war memorial that have caused most offence.

The Sentinel first contacted the Electoral Commission to gauge any ruling that the placing of the posters may have contravened. But, a spokesman confirmed that no such responsibility fell under that organisation's remit. He said the Commission only becomes involved if political posters are not removed 14 days after an election has finished.

Responsibility

Whilst the general upkeep of the memorial normally falls under the responsibility of Derry City Council, a spokesperson for the local authority told the Sentinel: "DRD (DOE) Roads service, as opposed, to the Council are the owners of the street lighting columns in the City and are responsible for all related matters."

The Sentinel then contacted the DOE who said: "Prior to any election Planning Service writes to all Political Parties reminding them of their statutory obligations for displaying election posters including positioning, road safety issues and subsequent removal within 14 days of the poll closing.

"Under planning law, display of advertisements, including election posters, is controlled by Regulations made under Article 67 (control of advertisements) of the Planning Northern Ireland) Order 1991.

"Under Class F of Schedule 2 of the Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992, an advertisement relating specifically to a pending Parliamentary, European, Northern Ireland Assembly or district council election can be displayed without seeking advertising consent from the Department. However these advertisements must be removed within 14 days after the close of the poll in the election to which it relates. It is also a condition of the regulations that no advertisement may be displayed in such a way as to obscure or hinder the ready interpretation of any road traffic sign."

This newspaper also contacted Sinn Fin in the City for their view on the placement of the posters on the Cenotaph lampposts and a spokesman for the party said: "It's called Democracy and unionism needs to get used to it. The Diamond doesn't belong to any one section of the people of Derry."

A General Election profile released last week by Sinn Fin on Ms Anderson stated: "Martina Anderson was born and raised in the Bogside, one of ten children to a Catholic mother and a Protestant father."

Another section of the election literature said: "Having spent over 13 years in prison, including ten in English jails, she was released in 1998, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and immediately immersed herself in promoting the Sinn Fin Peace Strategy.

"She has held several senior positions in the party including Director of Unionist Engagement and Equality and Human Rights spokesperson."

However, William Jackson told the Sentinel: "The IRA bombed the Enniskillen Cenotaph in 1987. Martina Anderson was a member of the IRA. I feel this is sticking two fingers up to our war dead. This city is supposed to be making a bid for City of Culture. What sort of cultural message is this giving to visitors to the town?"