Northern Ireland

Michelle O'Neill accuses DUP of ignoring 'excess deaths' warning if restrictions are lifted

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill

MICHELLE O'Neill last night accused the DUP of ignoring public health warnings about "excess deaths" if Covid restrictions are lifted and hospitality businesses re-open.

In an interview with The Irish News, the Deputy First Minister also criticised the party's use of a cross-community veto to block an extension of measures as "disgraceful".

As the political deadlock continued ahead of the scheduled end of four-week circuit-breaker restrictions at midnight tonight, Ms O'Neill said they are at a "cliff edge".

Health minister Robin Swann yesterday put forward a compromise to extend restrictions for one week after his original two-week proposal was blocked by the DUP - who wanted a partial re-opening of hospitality and close contact services.

The DUP plan was rejected by the four other executive parties.

"It's the DUP against the rest of the Executive and it's the DUP against public health advice," Ms O'Neill said.

"I think it's absolutely disgraceful they have used the mechanism (the cross-community veto) that is used to protect minorities. They have used it to vote against the democratic will of the rights of the Executive and I think the public will be rightly aghast.

"This pandemic does not discriminate. It disproportionately affects people on lower incomes. If nothing is agreed it falls back to back to the situation where wet pubs, hotels and restaurants will re-open. It is ludicrous."

On Monday evening, the north's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride told the executive that with even a partial re-opening of cafes and restaurants, there will be an increase in death rates due to high levels of Covid-19 infections in the community.

With the political wrangle continuing into a third day yesterday, Sinn Féin was criticised by DUP education minister Peter Weir for changing its stance following an interview Ms O'Neill gave to the BBC on Sunday when she said a partial opening of hospitality was being "considered".

Responding to claims her party had "performed a somersault", Sinn Féin's northern leader said their "position changed completely" following a briefing by the CMO the following day.

"I'm the joint head of government. I believe honesty with the public is the only way to get through this. We hoped that the interventions would only be for four weeks because we didn't know where the virus would be," she said.

"On Sunday, I openly said in the interview we are duty bound to look at all those things. But the CMO has given me very clear advice now to say this will cause excess deaths. I'm not prepared to do anything that steps outside the public health advice.

"My determination is make sure I protect the public against the pandemic. Saving lives and livelihoods is still my priority.

"The cliff edge on Friday is not an option. We just have to keep going, I'm not going to give up."