Council split over armed forces attending jobs fair

Nationalist councillors oppose the armed forces attending a jobs fair but unionists say they should be there

A row has erupted in Derry and Strabane council over whether the armed forces should attend a jobs fair in Londonderry.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had registered as an employer for the event in the council-owned Foyle Arena leisure centre next Tuesday and DFC had asked the council for its views.

Sinn Féin's Christopher Jackson said his party "fully opposed" the military's attendance and they would "not be welcome" at the event, run by the Department for Communities (DFC).

Ulster Unionist Derek Hussey accused nationalist parties of "sheer hatred".

The council's director of business and culture, Stephen Gillespie, said he would relay the councillors' opposing views to the department.

He also said a paper would be brought to the committee in the coming weeks so members could vote on a policy for future jobs fairs.

The event is to take place in the Foyle Arena next Tuesday

The heated exchange took place during the council's governance and strategic planning committee.

SDLP councillor Brian Tierney also argued against it, saying there were "ample opportunities" elsewhere for anyone wishing to join the armed forces.

He also raised concerns about "potential security risks" at the event, if the military were invited.

Independent councillor Gary Donnelly said the presence of British military personnel at a recruitment fair in Derry would be "morally wrong" and warned it would provoke "anger and fury" among his constituents.

'We need to be respectful'

But unionist councillors defended the armed forces attending the event.

Hussey said the opposition from the nationalist benches was "disgraceful" and "tears the heart out of me".

Citing his own family's military background, Hussey said he was "proud" of the contribution of the many local people who don the uniform to serve their country.

DUP councillor Chelsea Cooke said many local young people would welcome the prospect of joining the British Army.

"I know many young people who are proud of joining the British Army and various young people who need jobs, and this is one route," she said.

"We need to be respectful of them, and I welcome them to these opportunities."

BBC News NI has approached the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the DfC for comment.

In a statement, Derry City and Strabane District Council said: "The steer given by elected members of the governance and strategic planning committee this week in relation to the jobs fair would be communicated to the Department of Communities."

A spokesperson said a paper would be brought before the relevant committee for elected members to make a formal decision on future jobs fairs.

Speaking after an meeting of the NI Executive at Stormont Castle on Thursday, Communities' Minister Gordon Lyons said the opposition by some councillors was born out of "hostility to the Army".

"It's preventing people from hearing about opportunities that are there.

"Many of their own constituents will want to hear about the jobs that are available," he said.