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Justice Minister denies clashing with Michelle O'Neill

Alliance Leader Naomi Long has denied clashing with MIchelle O'Neill. Mal McCann.
Alliance Leader Naomi Long has denied clashing with MIchelle O'Neill. Mal McCann. Alliance Leader Naomi Long has denied clashing with MIchelle O'Neill. Mal McCann.

Justice Minister Naomi Long has denied reports that she clashed with Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at a recent Executive meeting, calling the claims "disgraceful".

The Alliance Party leader was responding to a report that she had effectively told her executive colleague 'to get stuffed' at a heated meeting held last Monday.

While there are differences of political opinion about handling of the coronavirus, two executive ministers have denied reports that it lead to clashes during a recent closed door meeting.

Mrs Long said the report was "wholly inaccurate and clearly those who briefed knew that".

"I can't answer for them or their reasons, but I'm not an anonymous, faceless 'source'.

"There is concerted briefing going on that bears no relation to the truth, which is utterly disgraceful given the context.

The Justice Minister also posted on Twitter, "Ask @NicholaMallon if you need corroboration that is bears no resemblance to any Executive meeting we have been at.

"The report is wholly inaccurate and clearly those who briefed knew that.

"We've both gone on the record to call it for the nonsense it is".

SDLP Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon later confirmed Mrs Long's version of events, saying reports of ministerial clashes had "no basis in fact at all".

"Incredulous that in the middle of a crisis some people are expending energy misrepresenting and briefing against others", she added.