DUP councillor apologises over 'IRA mouthpiece' tweet

Image source, PAcemaker

Image caption, The remark was made on social media about Sorcha Eastwood

18 September 2018

A Democratic Unionist Party councillor has apologised to an Alliance Party member for claiming she was a "mouthpiece for the Provisional IRA".

Graham Craig made the remark about Sorcha Eastwood on social media last month.

It was shortly after Ms Eastwood had spoken at a rally supporting families of the Ballymurphy massacre victims.

On Tuesday, Mr Craig said he should never have published the statement in the first place.

Image source, PAcemaker

Image caption, Mr Craig said he now accepted the allegation was "untrue"

Following criticism of the tweet, Mr Craig deleted the post in which he made the comments about Ms Eastwood, who was Alliance's candidate in West Belfast in the 2017 General Election.

Skip Twitter content, 1

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter and before accepting. To view this content choose 'accept and continue'.

Warning: Third party content may contain adverts

End of Twitter content, 1

In a post on social media, the Belfast city councillor said he now accepted what he alleged about Ms Eastwood on 13 August was "untrue".

"I sincerely apologise to Ms Eastwood and her family for any hurt and distress I may have caused," he added.

The Alliance Party said it would not be commenting on Mr Craig's apology.

Skip Twitter content, 2

Allow Twitter content?

Warning: Third party content may contain adverts

End of Twitter content, 2

Last month, Ms Eastwood said the matter had been referred to her solicitor.

The DUP said it would not be making any further statements on the matter.