Former UUP Leader Demands DUP Apology Over Undisclosed Sinn Féin Engagements

A former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party has urged the current Democratic Unionist Party leader to issue an apology on behalf of the DUP, following revelations that the party engaged in undisclosed discussions with Sinn Féin. Lord Empey stated that, although Gavin Robinson was not old enough to have participated personally, his party “misled the electorate.” He clarified that his concern was not with the occurrence of the meetings themselves, but with their clandestine character and their timing, as they took place when DUP policy opposed negotiations with Sinn Féin. The DUP has consistently maintained its official stance that it did not engage in direct discussions with Sinn Féin until Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams convened at Stormont in March 2007, just prior to the two parties forming a power-sharing government. These developments follow the recollection by the Rev Harold Good, a former president of the Methodist Church, in his new book, *In Good Time*, that the confidential discussions occurred at his residence. Rev Good indicated that Martin McGuinness and Jeffrey Donaldson were present at these meetings. On Tuesday, it was revealed that East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson also attended. Wilson acknowledged his attendance at confidential meetings with Sinn Féin, but asserted that these were not negotiations. Lord Empey served as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) for five years, stepping down from the position in 2010. His party openly engaged in talks with Sinn Féin, a decision that drew criticism from the DUP. He characterized the resulting abuse directed at himself, David Trimble, and other party members as “significant.” During an appearance on the Nolan Show on Tuesday, Empey stated: “I have no issue with Sammy Wilson meeting Sinn Féin.” He continued, “The issue I have is with the fact that he is trying to make a distinction between talking and scoping issues with Sinn Féin, and negotiating with Sinn Féin. “It’s the fact that his party lied.” Wilson has maintained that his party is not obligated to apologize and has refuted claims of dishonesty. Nevertheless, Empey asserted that the DUP had “effectively deceived the electorate” through “saying one thing and doing another.” He elaborated, “The DUP “put out statements and they had an election manifesto which they all stood on which said that they wouldn’t be meeting with members of terror organisations.”” He concluded, “I hope we can get this all out in the open.” Jim Wells, a former DUP MLA, informed BBC’s the Nolan Show that other party members were “completely kept in the dark” regarding discussions with Sinn Féin. Wells stated, “Not once were we told there was to be any form of contact [with Sinn Féin] – neither talks, negotiations, any form of contact.” He further added, “What’s even worse, we were told that the party line was to lambast the Ulster Unionist Party because they were openly in contact with Sinn Féin whilst we weren’t.” Wells concluded, “Therefore I do on this occasion agree with Lord Reg Empey, he does deserve an apology.” This development also follows criticism from Richard Garland, the son of Roy Garland, a former Ulster Unionist Party member and columnist, who also criticized the party. His father, Roy, had engaged with and met republicans around 1995 after the IRA ceasefire. When a photograph subsequently appeared in a newspaper depicting him shaking hands with then Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, a sign labeling him a traitor was placed at the end of his street. Richard Garland informed the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme that his father received death threats from members of proscribed organizations. He stated, “There’s no threat from talking to anybody in the name of trying to make peace and that’s what ultimately the DUP should have been prepared to be honest about.” He further added, “There’s nothing shameful, it doesn’t make your unionism any weaker.”