In response to reports on social media and queries from members of the public a TUV spokesperson commented on events in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council:
“After the election a meeting of party group leaders on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council was held. Historically, all political viewpoints have been represented on the group, including single councillors and independents. Naturally therefore all parties and the independent member of the council were included in the first meeting of the new term.
“We understand that at an initial meeting of the party group leaders all parties and the independent were present but that Sinn Fein suggested that independent Unionist Paul Berry, SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon and TUV councillor Keith Ratcliffe be removed from future meetings.
“On Monday past, the issue was brought before full council. Interestingly, the discussion on whether two Unionists and the SDLP should continue to be involved in party leaders’ meetings was held in private. TUV notes, however, that this has not prevented the DUP group leader on the council Mark Baxter from commenting on the matter in a fashion which was misleading.
“Tellingly, we believe a Republican objection to continuing with the longstanding practice of having independents and single party representatives on the group appears to be that there were too many Unionists in the group at the first meeting. It is understood that DUP councillors joined with Sinn Fein to vote two Unionists and the SDLP off the party leaders’ group while all other councillors opposed the move.
“Importantly, this issue had nothing to do with money as has been implied. In fact, the single members made clear that they were happy to serve on the party leaders’ meeting group without payment for doing so. It will come as a surprise to many ratepayers that party group leaders receive an additional £6,860 on top of their councillor allowance for sitting on the group.
“This disgraceful decision, which the DUP refused to discuss with other Unionists before the meeting, means that over 4,000 Unionist voters in Cusher alone and many more across ABC have had their views excluded from party leaders’ meetings.
“During the recent election, DUP candidates for ABC Council delivered literature which included a pledge to work with other Unionists in this council term. TUV welcomed such a commitment and believe it is more important than ever that Unionists work together across party lines to deliver for the people who sent us here to do a job for them. However, actions after the election have been very different. Far from working to build Unionism, the DUP actions on this matter will leave many questioning the nature of the relationship between them and Sinn Fein on ABC Council.”