DUP: SF bigoted to support euro introduction

Sinn Féin’s support for the introduction of the euro in Britain is motivated by economic bigotry, it was claimed tonight.

Democratic Unionist European Parliament candidate in Northern Ireland Jim Allister launched a withering attack on his Sinn Féin rival, former Stormont Health Minister Bairbre de Brun over her party's support for the adoption of the single currency.

Mr Allister noted how Sinn Féin had campaigned against the euro in the south before its introduction but had now changed its policy.

“Like so much of its policy, Sin Féin’s attitude to key European issues is hallmarked by hypocrisy,” he said.

“In the Euro referendum in the Republic, Sinn Féin campaigned against its introduction but now in Northern Ireland, Bairbre de Brun has declared she will vote for the euro.

“This volt face in favour the euro is clearly driven not by economic philosophy but blind hatred of all things British.

“It is the economics of bigotry. By determining such fundamental issues on such a basis, Sinn Féin demonstrates how ill-served Northern Ireland would be if its electors were foolish enough to elect de Brun to Strasbourg.”

Sinn Féin changed its policy towards the single currency at its annual conference in 2003, moving away from opposition to the euro.

In a recent speech, west Belfast MLA Bairbre de Brun said that the party supported the introduction of the Euro in Northern Ireland because it wanted the same currency throughout the island of Ireland.