SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has confirmed the SDLP will not attend any St Patrick’s Day events in Washington this year.

South Belfast and Mid Down MP Ms Hanna said:

“Last year the SDLP made the decision not to send anyone to Washington for St Patrick’s Day as we could not endorse the US Government while it armed and supported the bombardment of Gaza. We hope the fragile ceasefire will deliver a lasting peace and the return of hostages to their families, but the rhetoric of Donald Trump, around the displacement and ethnic cleansing of millions of people, is absolutely beyond the pale. We can’t in good conscience attend parties hosted in that context.

“The SDLP, and the island as a whole, has many friends in America who we will continue to engage with outside the trappings of St Patrick’s Day events. US politicians, investors and the Irish diaspora have been a positive influence here and we will retain links, particularly with those trying to resist and combat the overreach of the current administration.

“We understand the importance of the relationship between the US and this island, but the politics of the current US administration mean it is essential that we stand up for what is right, and when it comes to Gaza, what is wrong.

“The SDLP’s values are incompatible with what we are seeing and hearing and we won’t be endorsing it on St Patrick’s Day.”