Alliance leader pulls out of Ireland's Future event

The Alliance leader has pulled out of a conference organised by Ireland's Future

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has withdrawn from a conference organised by a group called Ireland's Future, which is campaigning for a united Ireland.

She was scheduled to speak at the event at the SSE Arena in her constituency in east Belfast next Saturday, 15 June.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Alliance Party said "last minute diary changes" as a result of the "snap election and short nature" of the election campaign mean Ms Long is no longer able to attend.

Instead, the party will be represented by the north Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister.

Naomi Long is involved in an electoral battle with the DUP leader Gavin Robinson for his Westminster seat in east Belfast.

There will be speculation that her appearance at the Ireland's Future event so close to polling day could have affected her chances in what may well be a close election.

Ireland's Future Secretary Niall Murphy said: “It is unfortunate that Naomi Long has indicated she is no longer available to participate in the Pathway to Change event at the SSE arena. Ireland’s Future regrets that this is the case.”