Beatty, a well-known army veteran, insisted he would not be discouraged after a poster, which appeared to show a noose around his neck, was left before the Lurgan event on Friday night. He was removed from view after being spotted by DUP and TUV leaders Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Jim Allister, who spoke at the protest. The poster has been widely condemned, with Sir Jeffrey saying it was “shameful”. Alliance leader Naomi Long called it “reprehensible” and Alistair said it was “completely inappropriate”. The incident was also condemned by Sinn Féin’s deputy leader, Michelle O’Neill. There is no suggestion that the poster was left or supported by anyone associated with Friday night’s event. However, it comes amid growing tensions over rallies across Northern Ireland in defiance of the post-Brexit protocol. Last month, Mr Beattie said he would no longer attend the protests, claiming they were escalating tensions. Friday’s event was the first since he decided to leave. During the rally, one of the speakers, Roy Ferguson, referred to Mr Beatty’s absence, saying the trade unionists would not forget his “release” and accused him of “betraying the faith and trust of the Ulster people”. ». Mr Beattie offered to meet with dissidents, but Mr Ferguson, in his speech, refused. “If Doug believes that the leaders of this organization will sit down and talk to him privately, he has something else,” he told the crowd. “We will not discuss our legacy with a traitor and a landlord. It is not activated. “ On Saturday, Mr. Beattie responded to criticism and other “cowards” behind the poster, and a recent attack on his constituency office. He said: “I am not a landlord and I am not a traitor. Those who make these cowardly comments will not intimidate me or any of my party activists into doing what is right to build a better society in Northern Ireland and strengthen Northern Ireland’s position in the United Kingdom. “Those who called me Landy and a traitor or put a noose around my neck in a poster are not the people who stood by me in battle. “They are not the people I served and they were some of the best men and women who ever wore the Queen’s uniform, as we were literally bleeding blood, sweat and tears in the heat of battle, in the service of our country. “So, someone standing on a stage, shouting from the podium, delivering a politically motivated speech to attack my commitment to my country, will not intimidate or intimidate me, or my party, into going ahead and looking towards the future instead of leading trade unionism back. in the past. “Whether it’s a poster with a double-knot loop around my neck – which will end up in the bucket – or a broken window in my office – I’ll fix it – I will not be prevented from doing what is in her best interest. Northern Ireland and its people. “ Mr Beattie’s poster has been strongly condemned. Sir Jeffrey told the Belfast Telegraph: “This was a shameful act. As soon as I realized the poster, I was terrified and decided to remove it. “This poster should hang their heads in shame.” Mr. Alistair said he realized he had been placed near the podium before the crowd arrived. He said it was “completely inappropriate”. He also told the PA that if someone put it on to “convey evil”, that “they were stupid”. UUP candidate Daryl Wilson tweeted: “The man in the poster has done more for his country and has more courage on his little finger than the coward who pulled a noose around his neck. “The constant, persistent, divisive attacks by individuals on the internet have become a reality.” East Belfast candidate Lauren Kerr said: “The mental gymnastics that must be involved to try to confront Lady, a military veteran who has traveled to all continents promoting trade unionism. “If he is between Doug and the clown who painted a noose around his neck, I know who I would prefer to represent trade unionism.” Michelle O’Neill said: “There is absolutely no place in politics or in our community for such threats against public officials or anyone else. “These politicians involved in this Good Friday Agreement and the anti-protocol rallies must refrain from inflammatory speeches that provoke tensions, which could spark tensions and lead to a worsening of the political situation.” Ms Long, the Alliance leader, said the poster was “absolutely reprehensible and deeply disturbing”. “It is not enough just to remove the poster,” he wrote on Twitter. “Those who take part in these rallies must recognize the emotions that are evoked and reduce the rhetoric.” SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also sent his support to Mr Beattie. Faithful activist Jamie Bryson, who spoke at the rally, criticized those responsible for the poster. “This ‘trick’ was embarrassing. “It does not represent the movement against the Protocol and you have to wonder on whose agenda those who put it there work”, he said …
