Thursday, February 02, 2006
Reg blasts Hain over gun salute
Who says unionists want to have the gun taken out of politics? The Ulster Unionist leader for one wants the guns to stay!Yes, Reg "I still matter" Empey has accused British Secretary of State Peter Hain of delivering a massive snub to the Queen by relegating this year's 21-gun salute marking her accession to the throne to a disused car park tucked away in Belfast's docks.
Poor Reg was so angry and heartbroken that he contacted Peter Hain's office urging him to find a more suitable site.
The salute, marking the 54th anniversary of the Queen's accession is to take place next Monday in the docks car park beside First World War light cruiser HMS Caroline, now used for training.
The salute has been shifted to the docks from the impressive grounds of Hillsborough Castle in Co Down because the government has scheduled talks with the political parties at the castle on Monday.
Calling for a re-think, Empey said the Queen's accession would be marked with 21-gun salutes throughout the UK.
"In London it will be in Hyde Park, in Edinburgh and Cardiff at the cities' castles.
"In the fourth (Paddy last?) capital, due to the political talks taking place in Hillsborough Castle, the salute will take place in a disused car park in the docks beside HMS Caroline."
He said the choice of venue was "both degrading and a downgrading."
He added: "I have been in touch with the Secretary of State's office asking for a more fitting and appropriate venue to be found for the salute in honour of our sovereign."
The salute used to take place on the lawns outside Stormont Parliament Building but was moved to Hillsborough in 1999 to avoid "offending" Sinn Fein, said Sir Reg.
"No doubt it has been moved again for the same reason".
Reg who?
The Northern Ireland Office insisted the event had not been moved away from Hillsborough for Sinn Fein's benefit, but because the castle could not house both the talks and a civic reception accompanying the salute.
Mr Hain said the siting of the salute beside the First World War ship was a "fitting and proper way to mark the occasion".
HMS Caroline would also provide an "excellent venue" for the civic reception, this year being held for the Fire Service, he added.
Dear oh dear. How pathetic is this? Empey's flaunting his Britishness worse than Madonna flaunts her lousy voice.
The guy's prostituting his identity in order to attract votes but I keep having to remind myself that this is actually encouraged within the UUP!
Talk about making an issue out of nothing! I tend to agree with Peadar who, commenting on the story on UTV, said:
"Away and grow up we've had enough of guns in this place."
Hear, hear!
Hey Reggie, do yourself and the rest of us a favour by working to restore the North's institutions rather than wasting our time on these non-issues that you hope will garner a few votes.
Perhaps you should also try expressing pride in your identity in other, less noisier ways? Maybe stick to eating the fish and chips that your party enjoys so much!
Hell, with his salary he can well afford to!
# posted by United Irelander @ 12:41 AM 
© 2008 United Irelander.
