Northern Ireland

Alliance councillor Michael Long apologises over 'clumsy' Bloody Friday commemoration tweet

Alliance councillor Michael Long has apologised for a 'clumsily worded' tweet which referred to Bloody Friday.
Alliance councillor Michael Long has apologised for a 'clumsily worded' tweet which referred to Bloody Friday.

ALLIANCE Party councillor Michael Long has issued an apology after posting a tweet in which he referred to Bloody Friday and accused other parties on Belfast City Council of "sham fights".

The east Belfast councillor yesterday deleted the tweet he had posted earlier in the day after it attracted criticism, including from unionists who expressed anger at his referral to Bloody Friday on July 21 1972, when the IRA detonated 22 bombs across Belfast, killing nine people and injuring 130 others.

Speaking of today's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Mr Long compared his planned proposal on the city's alleygate scheme to a DUP proposal to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the IRA atrocity, and another proposal on events for Queen Elizabeth's platinum jubilee.

The councillor said his proposal was "making a real difference" for constituents, adding: "Others engage in sham fights, Alliance deliver."

After deleting the post, Mr Long tweeted: "Apologies for my clumsily worded tweet earlier.

Emergency services at Oxford Street bus station following the detonation of a bomb on Bloody Friday in 1972. Twenty-two IRA bombs exploded that day, killing nine and injuring 130. The scene at Oxford Street Bus Station on Bloody Friday 1972.
Emergency services at Oxford Street bus station following the detonation of a bomb on Bloody Friday in 1972. Twenty-two IRA bombs exploded that day, killing nine and injuring 130. The scene at Oxford Street Bus Station on Bloody Friday 1972.

"As I explained, I wasn't criticising commemoration of Bloody Friday, which Alliance supports. My issue is the divisive approach to commemorations."

He added: "I've deleted it to avoid further hurt which was not my intention. Apologies again."

DUP councillor Brian Kingston said the proposal on Bloody Friday followed his party being approached by a victims' group.

"Bloody Friday stands as one of the most horrific atrocities during the Troubles. The motion is specifically aimed at reaching out to all those impacted to offer support and a suitable way to commemorate this indiscriminate attack which impacted on people from all backgrounds," he said.

"The comments from Michael Long are not just insensitive but insulting to those victims who have requested this motion be put forward."

SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly said the incident showed the need for politicians to "show greater care and sensitivity when discussing events from our troubled past".

She added: "We all need to be above using past atrocities to score political points. It’s right and just that we remember the victims of Bloody Friday and everyone who lost their lives during the Troubles so that we make sure never to repeat the mistakes of the past or allow ourselves to be dragged back to those dark days."