The Five Demands

UUP criticised for ‘non-attendance’ (NewsLetter)

The Ulster Unionist Party has been criticised for not taking part in an event to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Ulster Volunteer Force.

The original UVF was called up in opposition to the third Home Rule Bill. It later fought with distinction in the First World War and was noted for its exceptional fighting and heavy losses.

Saturday’s parade passed through east Belfast before finishing at Craigavon House, the home of Northern Ireland’s first Prime Minister, James Craig, and also the centre from which the original UVF was organised.

Parades Forum spokesman Winston Irvine, who is also a member of the PUP, said “the only political party at the event was the PUP”.

“Carson’s original army was formed out of the UUP,” he said. “They gave no formal acknowledgement of the event and the PUP see that as a slight. It smacks again of them trying to distance themselves from periods of the past, even in the anniversary event.”

The UUP took part in the Ulster Covenant parade.

A UUP spokesman had not provided a response at time of going to press, while a DUP spokesman said its local representatives attended the parade with their families.

The next major centenary to be marked will be the gun-running of April 1914.