Statement by TUV East Londonderry Assembly candidate Jordan Armstrong:
“It says a lot about how the Department of Culture operates under its Sinn Fein/IRA Minister that the Minister announces another delay in the establishment of an Ulster-Scots Academy and announces plans for an Irish Language Academy in one and the same statement. Not only that but the Minister has separately announced £500,000 of extra funding for the Museum of Free Derry.
“Just last month the DCAL committee was advised that a museum may close if the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure’s budget is cut by the projected 10% in 2016/17. Clearly that doesn’t apply to a museum whose very title tells us that it is only interested in pedalling a Nationalist view of history!
“It is obvious that the Minister is only interested in promoting Irish culture. Anyone who has seen her come out onto the streets of our capital to protest at expressions of Unionist culture during the marching season knows as much. Her blatant contempt for all things British render her completely unfit to hold office.
“Once again Republican pet projects have been favoured while the long promised Ulster-Scots Academy has been put on the long finger.
“This is another example of how terrorist inclusive government is not serving the people of Northern Ireland well.”