Army pulls out of jobs fair after political row

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

The Army has pulled out a jobs fair in Londonderry following opposition from nationalist councillors.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had initially registered as an employer for the event in the council-owned Foyle Arena leisure centre on Tuesday but confirmed on Monday that the Army would not have a stall there.

Sinn Féin, the SDLP and a number of independent councillors said the armed forces would not be welcome at the event.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson called that opposition "a complete failure of political leadership".

"While we are disappointed that the British Army will not be allowed to join other organisations at Foyle Arena leisure centre next Tuesday, we accept the decision," a MoD spokesperson said.

A row erupted last week at Derry City and Strabane District Council over whether the Army should attend the event.

Sinn Féin's Christopher Jackson and the SDLP's Brian Tierney were among the councillors to oppose the military attending the event.

Jackson said his party "fully opposed" it and Tierney said there were "ample opportunities" elsewhere for anyone wishing to join the armed forces.

Gavin Robinson accused nationalist parties of double standards

Some unionist councillors defended the MoD registering as an employer for the event, which is jointly run by the Department for Communities (DfC).

Robinson accused nationalist parties of double standards, saying those who "talk most loudly about equality and discrimination" were seeking to deny young people the right to hear about a career option.

"No-one will be conscripted or press-ganged into the Army by attending this fair," he said.

On Monday, Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton said it was "deeply regrettable" the Army would not be attending because of "political pressure from nationalist and republican councillors".

"This short-sightedness and outright bigotry are shameful," he added.

Speaking after a meeting of the NI Executive at Stormont Castle last week, 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," he said.

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

Derry and Strabane Council said the "steer" from elected members of the governance and strategic planning committee last week had been communicated to the DfC and it would be making no further comment.