War of words as election time looms

East Londonderry MLA Gregory Campbell slammed what he calls a "lack of action" from TUV Councillor Boyd Douglas after a meeting at Limavady Borough Council offices last Tuesday. The MLA claims the policy, which will see the Gaelic language used alongside English in the building, has been "shunted" through the council without an equality assessment because Councillor Douglas did not back an amendment proposed by the DUP. The amendment asked for a full assessment to be carried out on the impact the proposed policy would have on equality. Depending on the outcome of that assessment there would also be full public consultation. The vote was defeated 6-5 with the TUV Councillor refusing to back it. Mr Campbell, who is also the DUP's East Londonderry representative, claimed Councillor Douglas' decision was influenced by his party's "bitter hatred" of the DUP.

"This is a perfect demonstration of what's wrong with the TUV," blasted Mr Campbell, "Their bitter hatred of the DUP overrides any semblance of principle or commonsense. The only reason that I can see for Boyd Douglas's refusal to support the DUP amendment is because it was the DUP who proposed it. This petty, mean-spirited type of behaviour is exactly what we have come to expect from the TUV."

He continued: "The result of last night's vote, unless reversed, will be to institute an unchecked bi-lingual policy in one of Limavady's biggest community facilities. The TUV could have voted against this. Boyd Douglas is the Chairman of the TUV in East Londonderry. What does Jim Allister have to say about this? He likes to pose as a strong-man but it seems he's surrounded by people with something of a soft-spot for the Irish language."

The assembly member says he is now questioning the motives behind last week's vote on the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre.

"Cllr. Douglas's attempted defence has been to claim he didn't understand the proposal, he was at the meeting, he could have made an alternative proposal and he did not. It is proof positive that no matter what the DUP does or says, the TUV will oppose it. What sort of Unionist leadership is that?"

The TUV branch chairman hit back angrily at Mr Campbell's claims and called Alderman Robinson's amendment at the meeting"irrelevant".

Councillor Douglas said: "It was quite clear during that debate that the six nationalists were going to support the motion and with Paddy Butcher in the chair it did not matter what way I voted as he had the casting vote.

"Subsequently when the original motion was put to the meeting with six Unionists opposed and six nationalists for, this is what happened making George Robinson's amendment irrelevant."

"During the earlier debate it was made clear that a full Equality Impact Assessment with full public consultation would have to be carried out before a bi-lingual policy would be instated. This is because we have a Neutral Space Policy in Council which ensures that items or names cannot be erected on any Council property that is offensive to individuals."

"When the Neutral Space Policy came before Council for the Council Offices it was only with my insistence that this Policy would extend to all Council property."

Councillor Douglas says he resented Mr Campbell's "interference" in Limavady Council "business" adding that he should concentrate on council meetings in Londonderry.

He continued: "Gregory also makes the accusation that the TUV has a bitter hatred of the DUP which I refute as I do not hate anyone, but I will continue to express my views on behalf of the majority of the unionist electorate who are in general still honest and law abiding."