Democratic Unionist Party

A history lesson from Ruth Patterson

The Firemen on February 4, 2015, 10:02 am

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During this week’s Belfast City Council debate on the placing of the Union Flag on driving licences (something that the council has absolutely no control over), firebrand DUP Councillor Ruth Patterson decided to enlighten all those present with her interpretation of history and how it relates to the vexed subject of ‘flegs’. Scholars may be somewhat alarmed by Councillor Patterson’s interpretation of history as indeed may some of her creationist colleagues in the DUP who subscribe to the view that …

Robinson: Will he stay or will he go?

The Firemen on September 24, 2014, 11:14 am

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Following yesterday’s ministerial reshuffle and the axing of Edwin Poots and Nelson McCausland, the DUP appears to be in crisis today following the former Health Minister’s appearance on the Stephen Nolan radio show. When questioned about Peter Robinson’s long term prospects as party leader Edwin Poots effectively announced the First Minister’s resignation by claiming that “Robinson stepping down is public knowledge.” However within minutes the First Minister issued a rebuttal to local media and on Twitter denying that he …

#BlockedbyWells ?

The Firemen on September 24, 2014, 10:23 am

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Only hours into the job and new DUP Health Minister Jim Wells is already a big hit on social media. Hundreds of Twitter users reported that they had been blocked by Wells as they attempted to either follow or interact with his Twitter account. The hashtag #blockedbywells was soon trending across Northern Ireland. Many of the ‘blocks’ were prompted by users asking awkward questions of the Minister’s controversial …

Ian Paisley: “Assassinated”

The Firemen on September 12, 2014, 9:48 pm

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Many many words will be written about the late Lord Bannside, the Revered Ian Richard Kyle Paisley. The time for debate on his legacy is later. However on a day in which the First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson said “As a leader of men, a friend of the people, a servant of the state and a voice for the truth Ian Paisley excelled and shone,” and the Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Nigel Dodds wrote “He …

“Two lesbians living together are not a family. They are sexual perverts playing let’s pretend”

The Firemen on August 11, 2014, 9:34 pm

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UPDATED Much was said of Belfast ‘Pastor’ James McConnell’s recent anti-Islamic comments: The story was picked up around the world and McConnell was subsequently questioned by the PSNI. First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson was drawn into the row when he gave his backing to the Pastor’s remarks and said he would not trust Muslims involved in violence or those devoted to Sharia law but would “trust them to go to the shops” for him. Both Mr. Robinson and …