Sinn Fein News, September 6, 2006
DUP must explain party link to right wing neo nazi group
Sinn Féin Assembly member for North Antrim Philip McGuigan has demanded that
the DUP give the public an explanation for one of their recently formed
'Kick the Pope' flute bands being listed to appear alongside a right wing
neo nazi organisation, the British Ulster Alliance at a loyalist parade
planned for the Whitewell area of North Belfast.
Since the formation of two 'Kick the Pope' flute bands bearing the DUP name
and logo, one in South Down the other in Upper Bann, the DUP leadership have
consistently refused to answer questions as to exactly why a political party
sees the need to sponsor such organisations. Both bands have regularly
appeared on contentious parades across the six counties alongside bands
carrying UDA and UVF flags.
Now it has emerged that the South Down DUP band is listed to appear
alongside an organisation called the British Ulster Alliance at a loyalist
parade (see below) in the Whitewell area of North Belfast in the coming weeks. The area
has recently seen a marked increase in sectarian attacks on Catholic homes
including a recent attempt to murder a 12 week old baby in an arson attack.
The British Ulster Alliance has been widely reported in the media over
recent years as being a right wing neo nazi type grouping. The British
Ulster Alliance describe themselves as 'anti-Peace Process' and comprised of
'loyalists, patriots and British Nationalists'.
Mr McGuigan said:
"The DUP leadership owe people an explanation. If the DUP are serious about
nationalists and republicans entering into a power sharing arrangement with
them then they need to tell us what are their links to right wing groupings
like this and what action they intend to take regarding their bands
appearance alongside right wing neo nazi organisations."
