Swinney rejects claims that O'Neill acted beyond her Stormont role
SNP leader John Swinney dismissed DUP criticism of Michelle O'Neill's attendance at a pro-independence meeting, calling the argument false.
John Swinney, the leader of the Scottish National Party, responded to the Democratic Unionist Party's claim that Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill had no right to attend a meeting of pro-independence parties in Scotland. Swinney called the allegation a "false argument" and stressed that the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each uphold the principle of self-determination for their regions.
He linked the discussion to a historic moment that could fundamentally alter the United Kingdom. Swinney also addressed remarks by Irish President Catherine Connolly during her visit to Scotland and by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who warned that Sinn Féin's alignment with Scottish and Welsh separatists might hinder Irish unity. Finally, he pointed out that Donald Trump recently voiced clear support for Irish unification.
Why it matters
The remarks underscore ongoing disputes over the United Kingdom's constitutional future and cross-border political alliances.
How this story developed
- Sep 10 Piddington village to vote on symbolic independence over asylum seeker plan
- Sep 12 During a meeting with Irish leader Micheál Martin, Donald Trump said he would love to see Ireland become unified and believes it will eventually happen.
- Sep 12 Unionist leaders issued sharp criticism of Trump’s remarks.
- Sep 12 Leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will meet in Cardiff on Monday to sign a declaration calling for independence referendums and the dissolution of the United Kingdom.
- Sep 13 The leaders are presenting the Cardiff gathering as a party‑leader dialogue rather than a formal inter‑governmental summit.
- Sep 13 Trump reiterated his support for a united Ireland at a press briefing at his Doonbeg resort.
- Sep 13 Mary Lou McDonald attended the Cardiff signing and DUP deputy Emma Little‑Pengelly denied O’Neill’s authority to represent Northern Ireland’s first‑ministerial office.
- Sep 14 Trump announced the United States would drop tariffs on Irish whiskey.
- Sep 15 Leaders signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the UK government to prepare independence referendums for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Sep 15 A group of Piddington women sent an urgent letter to female MPs warning about the impending influx of male asylum seekers.
- Sep 16 The Home Office launched a public consultation on the proposed asylum‑seeker housing scheme.
- Sep 16 A second symbolic independence referendum was held, producing a 285‑26‑1 result.
In this story
Related stories
12 in this thread