EXCL Owen Smith condemns decision to invite controversial loyalist to Commons committee
3 min read
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Smith has hit out at a senior Tory's decision to invite a controversial loyalist to give evidence before a Commons committee.
Jamie Bryson will be quizzed by members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee next week as part of their inquiry into how devolution in the Province could be made to work better.
He rose to prominence five years ago over his part in protests against the limiting of the occasions when the Union Flag flies above Belfast City Hall.
In 2015, he was convicted of taking part in unlawful public processions as part of the campaign, with the judge at Belfast Magistrates Court saying his evidence "lacked any real substance or credibility on any of the issues relevant to the case".
Social media posts also appear to show him referring to the Pope as "the anti-Christ".
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long had been supposed to give evidence alongside him next week, but has pulled out in protest.
In a letter to committee chairman Andrew Murrison, Owen Smith questions the wisdom of giving Mr Bryson a platform in the House of Commons.
Mr Smith says: "Many in Northern Ireland will worry that the invitation of Mr Bryson to the committee opens up the door to invitations being sent to similar fringe organisations and individuals from both loyalist and republican backgrounds, thereby providing a platform for those who do not truly represent public opinion in Northern Ireland.
"In short, I do not believe that Mr Bryson is an appropriate figure to appear before the committee at taxpayers' expense, especially at a time when all efforts should be focused on rebuilding trust and good faith between communities and restoring an Assembly government.
"His attendance at the committee would, in my view, serve only to detract from the serious work being done by others to see devolution restored."
Labour MP Conor McGinn, who is a member of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said: "His appearance will undoubtedly lead to questions about the role of the committee at a very sensitive and important time, and highlight the fact that its make-up is not representative of the whole community in Northern Ireland."
Colum Eastwood, leader of the nationalist SDLP, will still appear alongside Mr Bryson at next week's meeting.
A spokesman for the party said: "The SDLP will not allow a committee inquiry to be held without the voice of Irish nationalism being heard. Failure to speak up for the people we represent and their interests would be a mistake.
"The SDLP fully understands that Jamie Bryson is a dangerous eejit but we believe it is better to robustly take on and take apart his arguments than to allow him free reign and an open microphone."
But a spokesman for the committee defended Mr Bryson's appearance.
Speaking before the Alliance Party's withdrawal, he told PoliticsHome: "When we launch an inquiry we invite written evidence and Unionist Voice submitted evidence to us.
"In this particular session we're looking for a range of views on ways that the current situation in Northern Ireland can be changed. He is one of four on the panel and has attracted more attention than the others, but we're looking for a range of options, and that includes his views."
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