‘He is unfit for office': DUP minister to be reported over social media post before rioters targeted Larne Leisure Centre

Irish Independent

a day ago

It was announced on Thursday that he will be referred to the standards commissioner following his comments.
In a social media post on Wednesday Mr Lyons said: 'It has been brought to my attention that a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre in the early hours of the morning following the disturbances in Ballymena.
'As a local MLA for the area, neither I nor my DUP Council colleagues were made aware or consulted on this decision until late this afternoon.
'It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.
'Protesting is of course a legitimate right, but violence is not, and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful.'
A fire later broke out at the centre following vandalism at the facility on the third night of disorder.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the facility had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following disturbances in nearby Ballymena, but the families had been safely relocated elsewhere.
Police and firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control on Wednesday night and said no one was inside at the time it broke out.
Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster on Thursday morning, Mr Lyons defended his decision to post the information on social media.
'There is an attempt here to make it sound like I was trying to highlight the fact that this was being used and this is where people should go, it was the complete opposite,' he said.
'I was highlighting the fact that, yes this had been used and it was going to be the focus of the protest, but it shouldn't be because the rumours that were circulating were incorrect and no one was in fact there, so I wanted to try and disperse people from going there.
'On reflection the die had already been cast, I tried to diffuse the situation.
'I had appealed for calm in that statement as I wanted calm heads to prevail, that includes politicians using this to try and score points.
'I have been very clear, it was despicable scene we seen at the leisure centre and those people should be ashamed of themselves.'
Mr Lyons condemned the damage inflicted on Larne Leisure Centre and said it only serves to hurt residents of the town.
He said: 'The violence and disorder witnessed on our streets over recent nights serves no purpose. Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility.
'There is absolutely no excuse for what has taken place in Larne, and it must be condemned.'
SDLP leader of the opposition, Matthew O'Toole, has said he will refer the minister to the Standards Commissioner.
The standards commissioner is responsible for investigating complaints about alleged breaches of the code of conduct by MLAs.
'The actions of the Communities Minister cannot be ignored,' Mr O'Toole said.
'He is the minister response for the Housing Executive and lives are at stake.'
'Tomorrow (Thursday) the Opposition will refer him to the standards commissioner and explore all other options for accountability.'
Ms Hargey said on X: 'Your job as Communities Minister, responsible for housing, is to stand up for families who had to urgently flee their homes after being attacked by thugs and to offer them support and safety. It's not to expose emergency centres and those same families. Shameful statement.'
Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson said that the social media post by the communities minister 'was reckless and completely irresponsible'.
He added: 'No politician should be publicly identifying locations used to shelter to families seeking refuge from violent, racist disorder; even if only temporarily.'
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons faces being referred to an Assembly watchdog over a social media post about a Larne Leisure Centre which was later attacked
Police deal with a third night of violence in Ballymena
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, who chairs the Stormont committee that scrutinises Mr Lyons' department, called his media post 'reckless and inflammatory'.
"At a time when vulnerable families are seeking safety, as minister for communities and housing, he should have been working to help those most in need,' he said.
"However his comments were reckless and inflammatory.
"Leadership should show responsibility — not feed into the fear of the vulnerable.
"Everyone deserves to live free from violence and hate.
"I will be raising the Minister's post at the Communities Committee today."
Green Party councillor Áine Groogan called for the minister to resign.
'What did he think would happen when he posted his earlier statement about a community centre in Larne being used to house people that had no accommodation after being intimidated out of their homes,' she said.
"Can Gordon Lyons stand over this statement in light of what happened next?
"This is the Minister for Communities, someone with the power and responsibility to invest in regeneration, reduce the social housing waiting list, and support vulnerable communities. Instead, he chooses to stir division and deflect from his own failures.
"This isn't leadership. It's cowardice. And it proves what many already know: Gordon Lyons is unfit for public office and should resign.'