Debate contribution: Scarva Protest

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 8 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 8 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Scarva Protest
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5600508

Text

I repeat, deputy First Minister: people saw what they saw with their own eyes. They did not see that MP de-escalating a situation. They saw a Member of Parliament from your party right in the middle of a scrum of masked men. I repeat: masked men, shouting racist and sectarian abuse. They did not see de-escalation. Deputy First Minister, you talk about a positive image for our future, and that is one that I wish to share in, but those images looked like they were from a Paisleyite past. That could have been Burntollet Bridge. It is shocking and unacceptable that you, in that role, cannot accept the gravity of those images —

113 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 2411/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

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