“Deputy First Minister fails leadership test” Dodds

Mrs Dodds challenged the deputy First Minister during Question Time on her repeated failures to denounce the murders of women by the IRA.

Mrs Dodds said.

“We must tackle and condemn violence against women in all its forms, both past and present.

As political leaders, we have a responsibility not just through our words, but through our actions.

When invited to set the record straight, the deputy First Minister ducked her responsibility and refused to condemn the attempted murder of my family by the IRA and the IRA’s murder of women such as Jean McConville, Joanne Mathers and Yvonne Dunlop.

Such a response was hugely disappointing, but not surprising, given her party’s track record.

Condemning the indiscriminate murder of innocent women shouldn’t be beyond the deputy First Minister of this country.

As all parties seek to work together to end violence against women, this was a real test of Michelle O’Neil’s leadership. A test of leadership which the deputy First Minister failed spectacularly.”