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Has Jim Wells been gagged?

Mark Devenport | 10:35 UK time, Friday, 30 November 2007

As a dedicated environmentalist, Jim Wells is well known as the one man "green" wing of the DUP. But there were some strange goings on at a rural planning debate at the Stormont Hotel on Wednesday. Speakers discussed what should replace the controversial PPS14 ban on new building in the countryside. But according to a press release from Sinn Fein's Cathal Boylan "Jim Wells was due to participate in the debate but after the first two speakers had given their opening statements he informed the organisers that he would not be able to take part".

A source from another party told the 91Èȱ¬ that Mr Wells got a text message, left the platform, made his way out of the room and when he returned took a seat in the audience.

When contacted the South Down MLA couldn't comment on whether he had been gagged, but clarified that in the future he would be speaking on South Down constituency issues and topics covered by his Regional Development brief.

°ä´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²õÌýÌý Post your comment

  • 1.
  • At 02:21 PM on 01 Dec 2007,
  • Belfast Gonzo wrote:

Maybe this explains why Jim (bigtime RSPB man) didn't comment on his party colleague Jim Shannon's dove-shooting holiday?!

  • 2.
  • At 06:23 PM on 06 Dec 2007,
  • Martin wrote:

Hopefully Jim has been gagged. His pronunciation is terrible!!! Seriously this sounds strange. Knowing Jim Wells he has a comment for everything good or bad.

  • 3.
  • At 11:45 PM on 06 Dec 2007,
  • Mizpah wrote:

You must remember that Jim's letter of resignation is stored in Ian Paisley's folder. It can be activated at any time by the "Big Man". Again I am told that Jim would be stepping on the toes of the Rev McCrea who holds a portfolio for agriculture.

  • 4.
  • At 10:00 AM on 10 Dec 2007,
  • The Green Man wrote:

Poor Jim, looks like the DUP whip wins when it comes to his real concern for the environment! Jim ought to drop out of this regime of climate sceptics and join the Greens! :-p

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