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How shall Gerry extoll thee?

Mark Devenport | 13:44 UK time, Sunday, 18 October 2009

I am just off air with Inside Politics, where we discussed serious matters like Friday's booby trap bombing and the continuing negotiations on policing and justice. Sinn Fein junior minister Gerry Kelly condemned the attack in East Belfast and criticised the faction responsible as having no support and no strategy.

Together with my guests Seamus Close and the Institute of Directors' Joanne Stuart we also touched on politicians' expenses and the Hillary Clinton visit.

On a lighter note, though, I discovered that Gerry Kelly was the speaker at a recent NI Construction Employers Federation awards dinner. As each winner went to pick up their award, they were accompanied by a rousing piece of classical music.

But when the Junior Minister went to present the overall winner with their prize he got to his feet to the accompaniment of "Land of Hope and Glory". The irony of a former IRA prisoner being beckoned on stage with an anthem which extolls the British empire was not lost either on the North Belfast MLA or the rest of the audience. Much mirth ensued, and perhaps a red face for whoever recorded the backing tape.

P.S. On the topic of "red faces" I see my Dawn Purvis howler made the Sunday Times. Fame, at last!

Comments

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  • 1. At 3:36pm on 18 Oct 2009, Stormontspy wrote:

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

  • 2. At 4:15pm on 18 Oct 2009, Stormontspy wrote:

    Moderators,

    Just approve post 1. You know as well as I do it is fine. If you dont believe me look up some history books.

    Stormontspy

    Complain about this comment

  • 3. At 5:29pm on 18 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

  • 4. At 9:29pm on 18 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    Where have the moderators gone ???
    They're stopping the exchange of information/banter etc with
    their tardy responses !!!
    No way is post 3,at 5.29pm, a problem !!!
    Demolition to Construction comment ??? Surely not !!!
    Too many sensitive souls around !!!
    Do not deny historical facts !!!
    No rewriting of history,please !!!
    If moderators haven't moved by 22.00hrs
    I think I'll phone Nolan in Manchester on 5live.
    Maybe he can move the moderators to extract the digit !!!

    Will the Policing and Justice Bill cover moderators ???

    Complain about this comment

  • 5. At 10:19pm on 18 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    Someone is awake,post4,revealed.
    Stephen Nolan, can you reveal posts 1+3 ?
    On other BBC blogs,the moderator's name is stated.
    Don't tell me the moderator is an employee of FM/DFM.
    Nothing suprises any longer !!!
    Publish the moderators expenses ! He who calls the Piper etc !!!

    Complain about this comment

  • 6. At 11:34pm on 18 Oct 2009, Stormontspy wrote:

    Spinspamspun,
    You said the moderator is an employee of FM/DFM.
    I think you are right. Or maybe it is the FM's party!
    Stormontspy

    Complain about this comment

  • 7. At 00:12am on 19 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

  • 8. At 00:54am on 19 Oct 2009, DisgustedinDerry wrote:

    Typical responses and I haven't even read them. At a guess they refer to Gerry Kelly as nothing more than a car park maker!!

    Gerry Kelly is a Master politician just like he was a master combatant, time for maturity from Unionism to jointly lead from the front and not seperately from the sides.

    As regards 'Land of hope and...' this was more than likley a die hard unionist foot dragger who would use an important awards diner to score a notch on the Assembly toilet door in a childish manner!!

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  • 9. At 01:36am on 19 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

  • 10. At 11:57am on 19 Oct 2009, Stormontspy wrote:

    Mark,

    I am disgusted with the moderators. Is there now a ban on facts?

    Fact: Sadly I missed your show today.

    Fact: Is it available to listen again?

    Fact: On the issue of Friday's booby trap bomb that Gerry Kelly not only condemned that but also condemned them for the past 40 years where the IRA was responsible.

    Fact: Jennifer McCann last month condemned everything since the peace process but nothing beforehand.

    Fact: I personally think the Tories will win the next election.

    Fact: Sinn Fein won't get allowances or salaries for parliament unless they sit in the parliament.

    Fact: What is the difference between sitting in the Queens Parliament and the Queens Executive?

    Stormontspy

    Complain about this comment

  • 11. At 2:05pm on 19 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    Just re-read my rejected comments!
    What is wrong with a "demolition to construction"comment?
    It's all in history !!!
    See post4.Point already made !
    Only conclusion is that Mark,after being mentioned in the
    Sunday Times,didn't want Harriet Harperson to shame him
    in Westminster ???

    Just a thought! A name change ! Northminster and all
    MP's/double jobbers on £30k.
    That would end "political research"

    Could go on and on but one slip/stumble the moderators
    chop tour heid off.

    Moderators relax.
    Could say more but won't.

    Response within the day ???

    Complain about this comment

  • 12. At 2:30pm on 19 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    Goodness gracious me.
    Moderators respond in 30min.
    In this new world of openess/truth/fact why
    should we (32 counties)be denied the truth ?
    History is History until distorted !!!

    Complain about this comment

  • 13. At 3:08pm on 19 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    Any chance of being updated of the "house rules"?

    At a need to know stage !!!

    Complain about this comment

  • 14. At 3:29pm on 19 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    Mark

    Did you ever imagine the word gerry would result
    in moderators sweat and wringing of hands results?
    Pontius pilate comes to mind.Washing and wringing!!!

    Did Harriet Harperson mention your gaffe ?

    Complain about this comment

  • 15. At 4:00pm on 19 Oct 2009, spinspamspun wrote:

    As is now reported the BBC have all info on MLA expenses.

    Can we have info on:-

    Staffing costs in triple job offices.
    (employed in 3 places,can't do it Master)
    MLA Research Costs.
    £300 pens.
    Films watched by each MLA.(tell the truth Jeffrey)
    Training for MLA's to "debate"and not just "read"
    Hotel costs.
    etc

    Ask Stormontspy where he has info that tories will
    stop monies to non sitting MP's ?
    MLA expenses !!!
    Political research and Office rentals must be revealed.
    Ask disgustedinDerry what will make her/him happy ?

    What would make us happier is for the moderators to "lighten up".



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Mark DevenportI'm Mark Devenport, BBC NI's political editor, and I'll be blogging here on all things politics.

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