Hain defends Parades Commission appointment

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain today defended the appointment of an Orangeman to the Parades Commission after it emerged he supplied the name of a nationalist politician as a referee without ever consulting her.

In a letter to SDLP Assembly member Delores Kelly, Mr Hain insisted the people he appointed last November including Portadown Orangeman Don MacKay were the best people to do the job.

He told the Upper Bann MLA, whose name was used by Mr MacKay without her consultation: “As you know, all appointments to the Parades Commission were made by me, taking into account the range of skills and experience that each member would bring to the Commission.

“I believe that we have the best people to do the job and the Parades Commission has my full support.

“You asked specifically about Mr MacKay’s appointment and I understand that he has now written to you to explain his personal position in including you as a referee. I hope that this has now provided you with clarification.”

Ms Kelly discovered her name had been used when party colleagues were told by a Northern Ireland Office official that they were impressed he had had her as a referee.

The SDLP Assembly member said had she been asked by Mr MacKay to provide a reference, she would have refused because their position on issues such as parading, sectarianism and the Drumcree March in her own constituency were poles apart.

The SDLP Assembly member had called for Mr MacKay’s resignation and expressed amazement that no one in the Northern Ireland Office contacted her about a reference for Mr MacKay before he was appointed.