Unemployed 'must ask questions' of Raytheon anti-war protestors

Robin Newton is an MLA for East Belfast and a Junior Minister in the office of Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM).

He described the closure of the Raytheon plant in the Springtown area of Londonderry as a victory for the "trendy left-wing anti-war protestors who broke into the firms offices and protested outside the property."

Robin Newton said: "The closure of the Raytheon plant in Londonderry is another bad blow for the overall Northern Ireland economy and in particular the North West area.

"The unemployed of the area need to question the motives of the protestors and the difficulties they create for Invest Northern Ireland in attracting future inward investment.

"Given the sophisticated technology levels of Raytheon's activity this is the type of organisation Northern Ireland needs to attract, nurture and promote."

Mr Newton said the protests and break-ins may not have been the sole reason for the move away from the site but that these "scandalous actions did not encourage the company's directors."

"Building and sustaining a successful business in today's economic climate is extremely difficult," he said. "The protestors' actions should be condemned by all political parties; business organisations and the man-in-the-street with an interest in the economic well-being of Northern Ireland."

"Also the inaccurate and unhelpful comments of Sinn Fin's Martina Anderson regarding the Raytheon organisations performance and commitment will do nothing to help attract the type of hi-tech firms to the city she claims to 'speak up for'," concluded Mr Newton.