Formal complaint against Elliott over Kerr funeral

Rodney Edwards • Published 14 Sep 2011 22:40

ULSTER Unionist leader Tom Elliott could face disciplinary proceedings within the Orange Order for attending the funeral of murdered police constable Ronan Kerr.

It's understood an internal inquiry is underway after an Orange lodge in Belfast's Sandy Row made a formal complaint against the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, and his colleague, Danny Kennedy.

Both Mr. Elliott and Mr. Kennedy attended the funeral of the Catholic police officer in April, along with a number of high profile politicians from across Ireland and members of the GAA.

However, Orange Order rules stipulate that members are forbidden from taking part in Catholic services. According to the BBC, the complaint alleges Mr. Elliott and Mr. Kennedy "have sold their principles for political expediency".

Mr. Elliott declined to comment tonight (Wednesday) but in a statement released to impartialreporter.com, a UUP spokesperson said:

"The Ulster Unionist Party wants to work to build a better future for all. We want to build a society in which people can live together in mutual tolerance and respect and where families can feel secure.

"In his role as a member of the PSNI, Ronan Kerr was playing his part in working towards that better future and sadly he lost his life in doing so. This was a great loss not only to his family and friends, but also to the PSNI and to the whole community that he served so well.

"As political leaders, it is vital that proper decisions are made for the benefit of not only a Party but the wider community and society."

Constable Kerr died in April after a bomb exploded underneath his car outside his home in Omagh.

The young police officer was due to start his first shift in Enniskillen on the evening that he was tragically killed. He had spent his last shift in North Fermanagh just days earlier working with Sergeant Scott Fallis.

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