First Minister accused of 'rewriting history' over Derry peace museum controversy
First Minister Michelle O'Neill has been accused of 'rewriting history' over comments in the chamber regarding The Executive Office's support for The Peacemakers Museum in Derry.
The Peacemakers Museum, which was officially opened last week, focuses on John Hume, Martin McGuinness and Mitchel McLaughlin, but earlier this summer, the Hume family distanced themselves from the museum due to the absence of a "fundamental commitment to inclusivity".
Speaking in the Assembly, The SDLP's Foyle MLA Mark Durkan asked the First Minister to outline the findings from the independent review into the Department’s approach to the museum.
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"TEO funded the extension and refurbishment of the Gasyard Centre directly impacting the centre's ability to meet the community needs and they now employ 19 staff directly and approximately 50 staff indirectly to ensure the community have access to support services within the local area," the First Minister said.
"With an array of projects on offer throughout the calendar year, the Peacemakers Museum hosted within the centre was funded solely through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. An internal review was carried out under the Raising Concerns Policy. The outcome of the internal review was independently reviewed by Group Internal Audit and Fraud Investigation Services. The conclusion to both reviews was that there was no breach to the capital process regarding the capital process regarding Gasyard Development Trust's proposal."
Following up, Mark Durkan asked the First Minister if she would agree that the use of John Hume's name and image despite the wishes of his wife Pat and the Hume family expressing their opposition to it is wrong and what lessons have been learned by The Executive Office over this matter.
The First Minister replied: "TEO don't provide any direct funding for that and therefore it is an issue between both the family and the museum themselves."
Addressing a further question from the DUP's Gary Middleton, the First Minister said: "in terms of the museum itself, clearly there has been a lot of public commentary around that. Whilst we are not responsible for that content, TEO did contact Ulster University to provide some additional assurance on the information that was shared within the content and steering group and the development of the museum narrative.
"The University of Ulster and National Lottery Heritage Fund confirmed that they were content that this had been met prior to construction works commencing so just to say that, I mean, I think that like all these things they are much better to be resolved in a conversation as opposed to perhaps sometimes in megaphone diplomacy."
Later on, Mark Durkan rose to his feet to raise a point of order in which he accused the First Minister of misleading the Assembly on the issue.
"Is it in order Mr Speaker for a minister to wash their hands of or to try and remove their department's fingerprints from a project that would not or could not have proceeded without that department's support?
"It is bizarre that the First Minister earlier told us that the Peacemakers Museum had nothing to do with The Executive Office when the former Permanent Secretary of that department had previously conceded and i quote 'TEO did not carry out due diligence in relation to ensuring that the Hume family's views had been properly communicated to TEO' and even said that TEO officials would welcome the opportunity to apologise for and address this with the Hume family.
"It would appear that the First Minister has no issue with the rewriting of history."
Addressing his allegations, Speaker Edwin Poots said: "it is never in order to mislead the House and I will say that to all ministers. You must come with the truth to this house. That is absolutely critical to the integrity of this Assembly. So, I will do some background work into this and I will come back with a further ruling on this matter. Mr Durkan, given what you have raised, this is quite serious."
The Executive Office have been contacted for comment.
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