Call to back motion against McCausland

Published Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell is giving other parties 24 hours to back a motion of no confidence in Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

Mr McDonnell says Mr McCausland breached the Ministerial pledge and code of conduct when he failed to condemn the actions of loyalist bands which breached Parades Commission rulings in Belfast last month.

Restrictions were imposed after a loyalist band played a song alleged to be sectarian outside St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street on the Twelfth of July.

Mr McDonnell says the minister failed "in his failure to uphold law and order and promote good community relations".

"For several weeks, the SDLP has been clearly voicing serious concerns about the conduct of Minister Nelson McCausland in relation to the sectarian actions of the Young Conway Volunteers Flute Band on the 12 July and illegal breaches of the lawful and binding determinations of the Parades Commission on August 25th," the south Belfast MP said.

"Yesterday, we made it clear in the Assembly that we believe his failure to condemn law-breaking and sectarian activity runs contrary to his Pledge of Office and the Ministerial Code of Conduct wherein he promised to uphold law and order and promote good community relations.

"We made it known yesterday, before the start of business in the chamber, that we intended to table a motion of no confidence in Minister McCausland."

The party leader said that they have obtained 14 SDLP signatures - 30 signatures are required to table the motion.

"We have requested all parties to come back to us in the next 24 hours," Mr McDonnell said.

He added: "Minister Nelson McCausland should be brought to account, both for his statements and his omissions in not condemning the incendiary and illegal actions in North Belfast over the summer."

A DUP spokesperson said Minister McCausland is "working with the community to ensure a long term solution to the problems in that part of the city".

"The SDLP would be well served in having a similar focus rather than trying to score points on the matter. Indeed, the SDLP, born out of civil rights parades, at certain times encouraged civil disobedience therefore it is not in the best place to lecture on that issue.

"At all times Minister McCausland has condemned violence."

© UTV News
Comments Comments
8 Comments
Stephen in Belfast wrote (250 days ago):
After the Loyal Orders, the YCV band and the North & West Belfast Parades Forum making great gestures to lower tensions in the area over the past few days, these bigots from the SDLP seem intent on stirring it up again simply to try and 'out-bigot' Sinn Fein with a game of prod-bashing. If the SDLP are successful in causing further riots in North Belfast, will Alban Maginnis and Alisdair MacDonnell be out on the front line until the early hours trying to calm the situation? I doubt it...
David in Cookstown wrote (251 days ago):
Does the SDLP also intend to cast a vote of no confidence on the Sinn Fein members who take part in parades for dead terrorists and the MPs who take part in protests againsts gay rights etc? I take it their code of conduct also includes these groups as well. Of course they won't because these are not anything to do with the Protestant religion.
Acknow in philadelphia PA wrote (251 days ago):
Come on Nelson. You no better
henry in north of ireland wrote (251 days ago):
the problem with nelson mccausland is that he still thinks hes living in the sixties when unionist ran the show and a onesided show at that well nelson those days are over and its time you got with the program which is ment to make this a better day for everyone but as long as you refuse to except it then peace and a true peace will always be just one bitter bigot away from coming true
John in Co.Armagh wrote (251 days ago):
Don't think the SDLP called for a motion condemning a republican band playing outside a protestant church in Dungiven, just goes to show what a narrow minded sectarian party they are.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
On the rocks
Wed 01 May 2013
4x4 in Ballycastle harbour
Thu 02 May 2013