Sinn Fein suspend MP who posed with bread on Kingsmill massacre anniversary
Gunmen lined up Protestant textile workers and shot them in Kingsmill, south Armagh, during the Troubles in 1976.
Monday 8 January 2018 18:58, UK
A Sinn Fein MP who posed with a loaf of Kingsmill bread on his head on the anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre has been suspended.
Barry McElduff posted a video on social media featuring a loaf which shares a name with the south Armagh village where gunmen shot dead 10 Protestant textile workers during the Troubles in 1976.
He confirmed he has been suspended from all party activity for three months.
The MP apologised "unreservedly" after he was summoned to meet senior party figures in Belfast.
He said: "Although I genuinely meant no offence, I accept that my actions were ill-judged and, while unintended, caused deep and unnecessary hurt and pain to the Kingsmill families."
In a statement, he later added: "I apologise unreservedly for this.
"In recognising the serious consequences of my actions, I fully accept the party's decision to suspend me from all party activity for a period of three months."
Party chairman Declan Kearney said the West Tyrone MP had fallen well short of the standards Sinn Fein expects of its members.
"What has happened is absolutely inexcusable and indefensible and the party is taking this matter very seriously indeed," he said.
He added that Sinn Fein wished to express "deep and sincere regret".
"What happened is absolutely irresponsible," he told BBC Radio Ulster.
"Barry McElduff has already made an unreserved apology and that was the correct thing to do in the circumstances.
"The reality is huge offence has been caused and I and Sinn Fein strongly disapprove of what has happened."
Sinn Fein's former Stormont finance minister, Mairtin O Muilleoir, also apologised for retweeting the video.
Mr Kearney said Mr O Muilleoir had offered the party an explanation for the retweet.