Northern Ireland

Pro-Brexit Twitter linked to DUP deletes European election video using Troubles footage

The DUP's Diane Dodds, and inset, the tweet by NI in Union
The DUP's Diane Dodds, and inset, the tweet by NI in Union The DUP's Diane Dodds, and inset, the tweet by NI in Union

A BREXIT-backing Twitter account believed to be linked to the DUP has deleted a European election campaign video which faced a backlash for using footage of Troubles bombings.

The video posted by NI in Union was branded "crass in the extreme" after a section was shared on MEP Diane Dodds's Twitter account last week.

Urging unionists to vote, it showed a gunman, bomb blasts and injured people alongside titles that read: "We have faced threats before. We have faced bullets and bombs."

"We must stand up for Northern Ireland," the video continued, adding: "Respect the referendum. Bin the backstop."

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The DUP has previously insisted it has "no political party connection" to NI in Union, which carried an article from DUP leader Arlene Foster within days of launching a website in 2017.

But further questions have been raised following similarities between posts by NI in Union and some DUP members.

The Irish News asked the DUP again yesterday to clarify whether a party member was involved in the NI in Union account, but it did not respond to requests for a comment.

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Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said it is "important the DUP clarifies its connection" and urged the party to "apologise for the insensitivity" of the video.

The video had been shared last Wednesday on Ms Dodds's Twitter account, alongside the tweet: "Tell them again! Reject the backstop. Defend the Union and deliver Brexit. Tomorrow vote #Dodds1." It was later deleted.

NI in Union has also not responded to requests for a comment.

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