Northern Ireland

Sammy Wilson criticised for Robin Swann 'poodle' comment

DUP MP Sammy Wilson
DUP MP Sammy Wilson DUP MP Sammy Wilson

DUP MP Sammy Wilson has faced widespread criticism after accusing Stormont's health minister of acting like a "poodle" in the debate about school return dates.

The East Antrim MP took to Twitter yesterday to say Robin Swann needed to start acting as a politician "rather than a poodle for the unaccountable chief medical officer".

But responding on Twitter, Mr Swann said he "would always have considered himself more of a Jack Russell".

Some DUP members have since said all children should go back on March 8 - the same as England.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride has defended his advocacy of a phased return, warning that a rush out of lockdown could trigger the worst wave of Covid yet.

Mr Swann said there had been two options at last week's executive meeting - all pupils back on March 8, or a staggered return.

"We should not apologise for making our own decisions, otherwise what is the point of devolution?" he said.

"The gradual, step-by-step approach agreed collectively by the executive was the correct one."

This attracted criticism from Mr Wilson, who posted on Twitter: "On the reopening of schools - the Health Minister needs to show some political independence and start acting as a politician rather than a poodle for the unaccountable chief medical officer."

Responding, Mr Swann posted: "If I had to choose, I would have always considered myself more of a Jack Russell."

Asked for her opinion on Mr Wilson's language, DUP leader Arlene Foster last night said: "Sometimes tweets would be better typed out and deleted. I know people are frustrated and angry. It is not language I would use."

Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken said Mr Wilson's remarks were "puerile".

"He should reconsider his ill-advised comments and show some contrition and appreciation for the work being done to protect the public," Mr Aiken said.

Daniel McCrossan of the SDLP, an assembly education committee member, said Mr Wilson was "out of line".

"If Mr Wilson has any actual medical or scientific evidence to present, he should do so," he added.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Peter Weir has warned Northern Ireland risks treating its children as second class citizens if it does not accelerate the pace of school reopening.

He said the north was an "outlier" compared with faster reopening plans in Britain and the Republic.

Mr Weir also questioned why Dr McBride advocated a gradual return when his counterpart in England, Professor Chris Whitty, backed a plan for all schools to return on March 8.

He said it appeared the CMOs were "going in completely diametrically opposed directions".