DUP leader Arlene Foster said that Sinn Féin must learn from Barry McElduff's resignation as West Tyrone MP following a video tweet in which he balanced a Kingsmill loaf on his head.
Barry McElduff posted the video on the 42nd anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre in which ten Protestant workmen were killed. His resignation comes nine days after the tweet and one week after being handed a three month suspension by Sinn Féin leaders.
Ms Foster said: "Now is the time for Sinn Féin to learn the lessons from these dark events and to deal with the fact that it, and many of its individual members, continue to publicly glorify the murderous deeds of the past. This needs to end if we are to build a future based on integrity and respect. Sinn Féin has much work to do to demonstrate they have truly learded from these events."
West Tyrone MP Barry McElduff said it was with "great sadness" that he was resigning after more than 30 years as an active Sinn Féin member and public representative.
He said: “After more than 30 years as an active Sinn Féin member and public representative I am tendering my resignation as MP for West Tyrone.
“The reason I am doing so is because of the consequences of the Twitter video which has caused such controversy over the last week.
“But the deep and unnecessary hurt this video caused the families of the victims of Kingsmill is my greatest regret.
Barry McElduff's resignation:
The abstentionist West Tyrone MP later apologised for the tweet and insisted he did not intend to cause offence.
Amid widespread outcry, Sinn Féin northern leader Michelle O'Neill described the video as "ill-judged" and "indefensible".
But the sanction imposed on Mr McElduff was widely criticised for its leniency. Alan Black, the sole survivor of the 1976 atrocity, rejected the apology and called on the MP to resign, while concern was voiced across the political spectrum.
Sinn Fein members for the most part were not aware of Barry McElduff's intention to resign. Seems to be a decision he took himself over the weekend. He has said he 'does not want to be a barrier to reconciliation'.
— Ryan McAleer (@RyanMcAleerUH) January 15, 2018
Ms O'Neill said that Mr McElduff told her last night of his decision to step down and that he was doing so because he recognised his continuing role in public office is compounding the distress to the victims of Kingsmill.
“Barry has served Sinn Féin and been a formidable champion for the people of West Tyrone at local government, Assembly and Westminster level over the past 20 years and has done so with great commitment, energy and determination.
“For this I want to personally thank Barry and his family, Paula, Niamh, Blannid and Patrick.
Ms Foster said he was no longer fit for public office and he should have resigned sooner.
"Over the course of the last ten days Sinn Féin has failed to deal with the McElduff situation. By merely suspending him and continuing to pay him they compounded his disgraceful actions and demonstrated a lack of respect and compassion for the victims of Kingsmill and indeed victims more widely. Sinn Féin got this badly wrong."
Brian Feeney on @BBCTalkback says after that moving and graphic interview with Alan Black on RTE's @MiriamOCal show Barry McElduff "was toast"
— Allison Morris (@AllisonMorris1) January 15, 2018
Mr McElduff added: “I again offer my profound apology to those families and to the wider victims community.
“Had I been conscious of the connection to the terrible atrocity at Kingsmill I would certainly not have posted that tweet. I genuinely did not make that connection, not for a second did I make that connection in my mind.
“Kingsmill was wrong, unjustifiable and sectarian. It should never have happened.
“There was no intended reference to Kingsmill in my tweet. But I do accept that there are many people who do not believe this to be the case. I accept also that this view of what happened is deeply damaging to the reconciliation process that is so important to consolidating the peace process and to healing the pain and hurt of the past.
“I cannot undo the pain caused but I know that my continuing role as MP for West Tyrone will compound that sense of hurt and impede any reconciliation process.
“I wish to wholeheartedly thank my family and friends for their steadfast personal support during this difficult time, and the people of West Tyrone whom I have had the privilege to serve as their public representative for over 20 years. I have a deep gra for my native county and its people.
West Tyrone set for a by election but there is unlikely to be any surprises- Sinn Fein has one of the biggest majorities in parliament in that constituency #barrymcelduff
— Rebecca Black (@RBlackBT) January 15, 2018
Less than 72 hours after being sanctioned by his party, the Sinn Féin representative was behind his desk and dealing with constituents' issues.
The revelation prompted a further wave of criticism over Sinn Féin's handling of the deeply embarrassing episode.
Mr McElduff said he did not wish to be a barrier to reconciliation.
“I am an Irish republican," he said, "and believe whole heartedly in the reunification of our country and an agreed Ireland in which we heal the wounds of the past together.
“Reconciliation is essential, but that message is not being heard at this time.
“I do not wish to be a barrier to reconciliation and healing and in that spirit I again offer my sincere apologies to the survivors and families of those murdered at Kingsmill.”
