Sinn Féin’s Barry McElduff resigns as MP over Kingsmill controversy
2 min read
Sinn Féin MP Barry McElduff has resigned his seat after he caused outrage by putting a loaf of Kingsmill bread on his head on the anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre.
The West Tyrone MP prompted criticism after tweeting a video of himself with the loaf on his head 42 years to the day on which the IRA murdered ten Protestant workers in Kingsmill, County Armagh.
Mr McElduff denied any intention to cause offence and apologised, but was suspended from his party and faced calls to consider his position from opposition parties.
The parallels with the 1976 atrocity led DUP leader Arlene Foster to condemn the message as “depraved” while nationalist SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said the video “crossed a line”.
Sinn Féin’s leader in Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, said she had discussed the issue with Mr McElduff, making clear the “ill-judged” and “indefensible” nature of the video.
"It falls far short of the standard expected of Sinn Féin representatives and our members," she said last week.
Announcing that he was to stand down Mr McElduff said the "deep and unnecessary hurt” felt by victims’ families was his “greatest regret".
"Kingsmill was wrong, unjustifiable and sectarian. It should never have happened," he said.
He again denied that the video referred to the Kingsmill massacre, adding that to do so would "impede any reconciliation process" in the province.
"I am an Irish republican and believe wholeheartedly in the reunification of our country and an agreed Ireland in which we heal the wounds of the past together.
"Reconciliation is essential, but that message is not being heard at this time," he added.
Ms O’Neill added that Mr McElduff's resignation came "as a consequence of the unintended hurt caused to the Kingsmill victims and their loved ones by his recent social media tweet.”
She said: "He has said that he does not want to be a barrier to reconciliation and I respect that decision."
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