Assembly members in row over Scotland trip

Members of the Stormont Assembly were today accused of ignoring Department of Agriculture foot-and-mouth precautions by travelling to Scotland.

There were angry scenes at the Stormont Agriculture Committee when John Dallat (SDLP, East Londonderry) singled out fellow member Gardner Kane (DUP, North Antrim) for agreeing to go ahead with a trip to Stranraer on Monday.

Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers (SDLP, Upper Bann) said she would be appalled if members of the Assembly did not set an example, and appealed to anyone taking part in the trip to think again.

Party colleague Alban Maginness (SDLP, North Belfast) had accepted an invitation earlier today, but later withdrew from the trip after the issue was raised in committee.

A number of other members including Oliver Gibson (DUP, West Tyrone), Ken Robinson (UUP, East Antrim) and Roger Hutchinson (DUP, East Antrim) have also agreed to attend the North Channel Partnership meeting with Scottish parliamentarians.

Mr Dallat accused Mr Kane and the rest of the group of sending the wrong signals to the general public and urged them to re-think.

Mr Dallat said during questions to the Minister that some of the Scottish parliamentarians attending the meeting represented areas ravaged by the highly infectious disease.

He asked: ‘‘Does it concern you that perhaps we don’t send out the correct messages?

‘‘Would you accept that when that message gets back to hoteliers, they get somewhat disillusioned that perhaps it’s a case of don’t do as I do, but do as I tell you?’’

Mr Kane, a farmer himself, said the trip to Stranraer was no different from going to Westminster and added: ‘‘I will take the necessary precautions and I don’t have to trashed about by a colleague across the table.’’

But Mrs Rodgers said that anyone who has been in contact with animals and has been in Stranraer could be carrying the virus.

She appealed to Mr Kane and the rest of the delegation to think again about making the trip to Stranraer.

‘‘I would be quite appalled if members of this Assembly and particularly any member of this committee was not setting the example,’’ she said.

‘‘I would presume that everyone has read the guidelines. Any unnecessary travel across the water and particularly to Scotland, would be extremely unwise.

‘‘I would hope that any member who is contemplating that would think about the impact that would have on the rest of the community.’’

Mr Maginness said later that Ms Connolly would not be attending the meeting, adding: ‘‘In the light of the advice given by the Department of Agriculture, there will be no participation by the SDLP.’’