'There is no equality issue to be answered here'
UNIONIST representatives on Newtownabbey Council have hit back against claims of political and religious discrimination.
Senior UUP and DUP councillors spoke out this week in response to allegations made by Alliance Party councillor Tom Campbell.
The Antrim Line representative has made an official complaint to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, claiming that "unionist parties on the council have been abusing their majority to discriminate on political and religious grounds against non-unionist parties."
The Times revealed last week how Mr Campbell has written to the Chief Executive of the Commission, Evelyn Collins, requesting that a formal investigation be carried out into his allegations.
Councillor Campbell's complaint stems from events at the council's AGM back in June when the role of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and every committee Chair and Vice-Chair position went to a councillor from the DUP or UUP after a power-sharing deal was struck between the two parties - a pact similar to the one involving DUP and Alliance representatives in previous years.
Responding to councillor Campbell's complaint, Ulster Unionist councillor John Scott denied any suggestions of political or religious discrimination.
"He (Cllr Campbell) is trying to say that we're being sectarian or that we're discriminating against people, but that's simply not the case. I can't speak on behalf of the DUP, but I feel they have done well at sharing out the main offices of Mayor and Deputy Mayor over the past four years. They have also been very supportive of myself and each and every Mayor who has been elected."
Alderman Scott highlighted how councillor Campbell voted against his now party colleague Billy Webb (then a member of the Newtownabbey Ratepayers' Association) at the 2007 AGM in favour of backing DUP nominee Nigel Hamilton for the Mayor's job.
He also pointed out that councillor Campbell served as Chairman of the Policy and Governance Committee and as Chairman of Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership, while his colleague Lynn Frazer served as Deputy Mayor and Mayor, during their party's four-year pact with the DUP.
"He (Cllr Campbell) was happy enough with what the Alliance Party got during their four-year deal with the DUP. His complaint to the Equality Commission now claiming political and religious discrimination just seems to be sour grapes about what happened at this year's AGM.
"I feel that the council is working together - members from all sides of the chamber - very well for the best of the borough and the good of everyone in the borough," alderman Scott added.
The leader of the majority DUP grouping on the council, alderman Paul Girvan, also denied claims of political and religious discrimination against non-unionist councillors, saying the allocation of posts was done fairly and reflects the proportionality of the council.
"We had a deal with the Alliance Party for the first four years of the council term, from 2005, and we honoured that deal. They got Mayor, Deputy Mayor and two committee Chairman posts during that time, so they did extremely well for a party that only had two councillors at that time.
"We have honoured our deal with them and we have now entered into a deal with the Ulster Unionists and we will honour that deal. As far as we're concerned there's not an equality issue to be answered here," he said.
A spokesman for the Equality Commission confirmed that councillor Campbell's complaint is still under consideration.
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Weather for Newtownabbey
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
