Sinn Féin have denied knowledge of plans to allow Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness to use facilities in the House of Commons. They were responding to a report in today’s Sunday Times that a ban on the pair having Westminster offices and access to Commons research material was to be lifted following the breakthrough in Northern Ireland. Neither Mr Adams nor Mr McGuinness would be required to swear the Oath of Allegiance to the Queen, according to the newspaper.
However, a spokesman for Sinn Féin said that they do not know anything about it. However, he said that, if it were true, they would welcome the development. The two MPs have refused to take their seats in the chamber in Westminster or take the Oath of Allegiance sworn by all MPs on ideological grounds. Gerry Adams is MP for West Belfast and Martin McGuinness, as well as being the new Northern Ireland Education Minister, took the Mid-Ulster seat from the DUP in 1997.
Following the last election, they sought access to MPs' facilities in Westminster, but were refused entry when the Commons Speaker, Betty Boothroyd ruled that they were seeking associate status that did not exist. Mr McGuinness challenged the ruling in the European Court of Human Rights. However, the court rejected his claim that it was discriminatory. The DUP leader has claimed that the move is a concession that agreed as part of the Mitchell Review. Ian Paisley said he was infuriated that it was being mooted while the house was in recess. He said that the Government has pushed it, as has the Tory party.
The North’s First Minister embarked on a two-day visit to Washington today. The trip is likely to include a meeting with President Bill Clinton. David Trimble flew to America yesterday. He is maintaining a low-key approach to the trip, insisting that he was there to tie up loose ends from the Mitchell Review of the Good Friday Agreement. He is expected to lead members of the new cabinet on a major investment-seeking mission in the US in the New Year to capitalise on the new political stability in the province.
