Blunkett axes visit as IRA bomber protest is staged

British Works and Pensions Secretary David Blunkett today pulled out of a visit to a job centre in west Belfast as republicans staged a protest demanding the release from jail of IRA bomber Sean Kelly.

European Union employment ministers visited the job centre in Springvale where around 60 republicans gathered carrying posters and wearing T-shirts in support of Kelly, who was returned to prison last month for involvement in terrorist activities.

But the Works and Pensions Secretary changed his plans to join them on the Springvale leg of the fact-finding tour.

Mr Blunkett is hosting a two-day summit of employment ministers in Belfast as part of Britain’s presidency of the European Union.

The ministers were also visiting a job scheme in the loyalist Shankill Road.