Barry McElduff resigns as MP

» Michael McMonagle

“I cannot undo the pain caused but I know that my continuing role as MP for West Tyrone will compound that sense of hurt and impede any reconciliation process." - Barry McElduff

Barry McElduff has announced his resignation as MP for West Tyone. 

Mr McElduff made the announcement this morning and said it was as a result of a controversial twitter video. 

Following the appearance of the video, Mr McElduff was suspended by Sinn Féin. 

He said that it was intention to cause any hurt to the families of the victims and apologised for any offence caused. 

Announcing his resignation, Mr McElduff said: “It is with great sadness that, after more than 30 years as an active Sinn Féin member and public representative I am tendering my resignation as MP for West Tyrone. 

“The reason I am doing so is because of the consequences of the Twitter video which has caused such controversy over the last week. 

“But the deep and unnecessary hurt this video caused the families of the victims of Kingsmill is my greatest regret." 

He also repeated his apology to the families of the victims of the massacre. 

“I again offer my profound apology to those families and to the wider victims community.

“Had I been conscious of the connection to the terrible atrocity at Kingsmill I would certainly not have posted that tweet. I genuinely did not make that connection, not for a second did I make that connection in my mind.

“Kingsmill was wrong, unjustifiable and sectarian. It should never have happened.

“There was no intended reference to Kingsmill in my tweet. But I do accept that there are many people who do not believe this to be the case.  I accept also that this view of what happened is deeply damaging to the reconciliation process that is so important to consolidating the peace process and to healing the pain and hurt of the past," he explained.  

Mr McElduff said he did not want his position as West Tyrone MP to be a barrier to reconciliation. 

“I cannot undo the pain caused but I know that my continuing role as MP for West Tyrone will compound that sense of hurt and impede any reconciliation process.

“Reconciliation is essential, but that message is not being heard at this time.

“I do not wish to be a barrier to reconciliation and healing and in that spirit I again offer my sincere apologies to the survivors and families of those murdered at Kingsmill," he said. 

Speaking following his resignation, Sinn Féin leader in the north, Michelle O'Neill said she respected his decision.

“Barry recognises that this controversy and his continuing role in public office is compounding the distress to the victims of Kingsmill, and again offers his profound apology to those families and to the wider victims community.

“He has said that he does not want to be a barrier to reconciliation and I respect that decision.

“Barry has served Sinn Féin and been a formidable champion for the people of West Tyrone at local government, Assembly and Westminster level over the past 20 years and has done so with great commitment, energy and determination.

“For this I want to personally thank Barry and his family, Paula, Niamh, Blannid and Patrick.

“Over the coming weeks Sinn Féin will focus our full efforts on the restoration of the power-sharing institutions on the basis of equality, integrity and respect and fulfil the mandate we received from the electorate in two successive elections last year," she said.