DUP MP defends bonfire effigies
Posted By: July 14, 2017
IRISH CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING
A DUP MP has defended the burning of flags and effigies on bonfires as “public expressions”
of opposition within a “free society”.
Emma Little-Pengelly described her argument as a “classic liberal approach” to criticism from political opponents.
There was nationalist anger this week at the burning Irish tricolors, Sinn Féin and SDLP election posters and an effigy of the late deputy first minister Martin McGuinness on Eleventh Night bonfires.
Responding to criticism of the bonfires, Ms. Pengelly, who was elected as a first-time MP last month, called for respect to go “both ways”
Referring to a ‘F*** the DUP’ banner in London, Ms. Pengelly said: “Ultimately people here and across UK and ROI [Republic of Ireland] have the right to do it regardless of our like or disagreement with it.
“When we look at so many places that outlaw opposition and public expressions of it we should actually recognize and appreciate that right. That’s a right I would actually fight to protect.”
Ms. Pengelly later sought to clarify her comments, adding: “For anyone trying to read any ambiguity into anything let me be absolutely clear (and I have said this repeatedly) – All terrorism is wrong, that includes associated flags and emblems.“Hate crime is wrong and there must be zero tolerance of it. All bonfires, and cultural expression, should be done in a respectful way.”