'Don't sell your soul' to sip champagne with Trump, says O'Neill

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair is looking at the camera. She is wearing a leopard-print jacket and a white shirt. She is standing outside during the day time. Shrubbery can be seen in the background although it is blurry. PA Media

O'Neill said her decision was in response to the US's role in Israel's war in Gaza

Brendan Hughes
BBC News NI political reporter

The first minister has said you "don't sell your soul" to sip champagne with Donald Trump amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Michelle O'Neill was responding in the Northern Ireland Assembly to questions over boycotting last week's banquet for the US president during his UK state visit.

O'Neill did not attend the reception at Windsor Castle but Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly was among the guests.

Little-Pengelly had described the absence as a "mistake", but O'Neill said her decision was in response to the US's role in Israel's war in Gaza.

The deputy first minister's colleagues in the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on Monday questioned O'Neill over her boycott.

David Brooks asked whether the Sinn Féin vice-president's decision and other moves were "helpful to assisting businesses to grow" in Northern Ireland.

O'Neill said it was important to have an "open for business" message, describing it as the "appropriate approach from us as an Executive Office".

"But, don't sell your soul just in terms of short-termism just to go to banquets and sip champagne whilst people in Gaza are starving," she added.

Donald Trump meets Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. She is wearing a red dress with a blue blazer. He is wearing a navy suit with a red tie. The pair are both smiling while standing in a wooden panelled room.NI Executive/PA Media

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly met President Trump at Washington's Capitol Hill in March

Earlier the first minister said she valued "our Irish-American links" but defended her decision over the state banquet.

"I don't see how a benefit was going to be achieved from attending a state banquet when the children of Gaza are starved to death," she said.

"I made my view known on that issue. I've not blocked the deputy first minister from attending, she went to the thing and that was her call.

"I'm very comfortable with my decision."

Little-Pengelly last week said the reception was an opportunity for people in Northern Ireland "to have their voice heard".

Little-Pengelly said "what's happening in the Middle East is absolutely tragic" and "everyone wants to see a ceasefire, everyone wants to see peace".

But, she questioned whether the Sinn Féin minister "staying at home" would "change a single thing".

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