Northern Unionist Blasts Woodward's 'Neutrality'

Labour's 'neutrality' towards the Union will bolster the Ulster Unionist-Tory joint ticket at the ballot box, a Northern unionist Assemblyman has claimed.

Tom Elliott criticised Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward's "neutral broker" status during the Hillsborough negotiations, claiming it could jeopardise the UUP's support for the accord.

Speaking at the weekend, Mr Woodward said: "All of us have to be absolutely crystal clear that we are the unequivocal neutral broker, that there is no selfish interest for us in Northern Ireland."

Mr Elliott has called on the Secretary of State to retract his statement.

He said: "This Labour Government is not neutral when it comes to the Union with Scotland. Gordon Brown and many members of his cabinet have publicly declared their support for Scotland's place in the Union.

"The fact that Mr Woodward saw fit to make this statement at a very sensitive time in the political process cannot be overlooked. It certainly will be borne in mind as the UUP considers the outcome of the Hillsborough talks."

The NI Secretary's contrast directly with a speech given by Tory leader David Cameron two years ago.

Speaking at the 2008 Ulster Unionist Party conference Mr Cameron told delegates he had a "selfish, strategic interest" in Northern Ireland, supposedly censuring the 1993 Downing Street declaration.

Mr Elliott accused Mr Woodward of mounting a "highly partisan" bid to undermine the UUP and Conservative electoral alliance.

"Shaun Woodward's declaration that this Government is neutral on the Union both undermines confidence at this delicate time in the political process and gives pro-Union voters yet another reason to support Conservative and Ulster Unionist candidates at the forthcoming General Election," he said.

Last night a Northern Ireland Office spokesman rejected Mr Elliott's claims.

"The Secretary of State has never said that he doesn’t care if Northern Ireland remains in the Union or not," he said.

"The place of Northern Ireland in the UK is clearly set out in the Belfast Agreement."

(PR/BMcC)