Elliott in U-turn over GAA match

UUP leader Tom Elliott appeared to do a u-turn over the issue

Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott has said he has not ruled out attending a GAA game following a meeting with the Secretary of the GAA Ulster Council Danny Murphy.

The MLA had previously said he had no interest in attending gaelic games.

Mr Elliot said they discussed a range of issues including stadia funding and outreach work at Wednesday's meeting.

But the MLA said whilst he respected the sport he would not be drawn into going to a GAA match for "tokenism".

UUP general election candidate Trevor Ringland left the party in September due to Mr Elliott's position on the issue.

Speaking to the BBC on Thursday Mr Elliott appeared to do a u-turn.

"Maybe I would (go to a match), maybe I wouldn't - that has been my stance all the way through," he said.

Conflict

"I've always said I would assess every invitation as it came in.

"What I've always said is it's about respect for each other, which doesn't mean I will automatically be a supporter of the GAA.

"But what I do have is a respect for the organisation and what it does and I ask for the same respect back to me."

Mr Elliott maintained that he had never ruled out going to a match but said the issue of him attending one was not raised at Wednesday's meeting.

"Mr Murphy said that was a personal choice of mine and that he would not at any stage attempt to force me to go to a match and that we would work and cooperate in any way possible.

"What we want to do is build good relationships here but that doesn't mean I will just go to a GAA match for tokenism.

"Northern Ireland is much too small to continue a conflict with each other, I think it is time we worked together."