TUV Leader Continues to Press Translink on Wristband Issue
11 August 2011
Statement by North Antrim MLA Jim Allister:
“After waiting more than a month for a reply from Translink to a letter in which I first raised the issue of the company prohibiting the wearing of wristbands commemorating local men who are serving and have served in Afghanistan I have, at last, received an answer of sorts.
“Translink’s reply, however, is wholly unsatisfactory as it provides no rational explanation as to how and why the discrete wearing of an wristband supporting our troops could or should be offensive and while they refer to 'advice' from the Equality Commission they do not say what that advice was. Naturally I have requested to see a copy of the advise so I can ascertain precisely what it said about the wristband issue.
“However, the most intriguing thing about Translink’s answer is the company’s solemn affirmations of commitments to 'equality' and 'neutrality'. In light of same I have invited Translink to explain to me why they has tolerated for years a shrine to republican terrorism on the railway embankment at Newry.
“Talk about neutrality and equality rings rather hollow when it translates into Translink having no difficulty facilitating and permitting a large memorial to the IRA hunger strikers, but bans wristband honouring our legitimate armed forces.”
