Foster-McGuinness last public appearance was 5 weeks ago

Posted By: January 04, 2017

Andrew Madden. Irish News. Belfast. Wednesday, January 4, 2017


DESPITE holding a joint office, the first minister Arlene Foster and deputy first minister Martin McGuinness have not been seen in public together in five weeks.

It seems that the last time both appeared together representing the Executive Office was at a reception for world champion boxer Carl Frampton and his title challenger Leo Santa Cruz at Stormont on November 29.

They were pictured on the steps of Stormont Castle with north Belfast boxer Frampton and Santa Cruz, from Mexico.

The pair also attended the North-South Ministerial Council on November 18 and the unveiling of a portrait of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in London on November 9.

They were due to take a joint trade mission to China at the beginning of December. However Mrs. Foster ended up going on the trip without her joint leader after Mr. McGuinness was advised by doctors to stay at home for health reasons. It is still unclear precisely what health issues prevented the joint first minister from traveling. The Executive Office was asked yesterday to clarify when exactly Mrs. Foster’s and Mr. McGuinness’s last public appearance together was, but it did not

respond.