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BBC News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Pat Cullen: Sinn Féin MP says she never felt like a second-class citizen in NI
Sinn Féin's MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone has said she never felt like a second-class citizen growing up in Northern Ireland during the Cullen, who was elected to Westminster in 2024, said she was regularly stopped and searched by the Army as a young girl growing up in Carrickmore, County said this had become "normal" but did not make her feel like she was inferior."I always knew we were on the right side of history," she added. The youngest of seven children, Cullen said her mother made them say the rosary every night and sprinkled holy water over their car to keep them mother, who died when Cullen was 18, also made her leave the house over an hour earlier to collect her sister from work in Omagh just 15 minutes away in case she was MP, who is married with two children, recalled an encounter with a young soldier in the 1980s, when she was 17."It was about the fifth time he had stopped me that week," she told the BBC's Red Lines podcast."I remember saying to him: 'Why are you doing that, why are you doing this to me?' "He said, 'I have no choice'. I remember standing looking at him and he wasn't, I'm sure, much older than me. "I remember saying to him: 'We all have choices'." Cullen followed four of her sisters into a career in nursing which included working as a community nurse in north and west Belfast in the a mental health nurse, she did not wear a uniform and said this aroused suspicion from the Army as she travelled frequently between nationalist and loyalist areas."The women in those areas made things much easier for us and took us under their wing and supported us as we moved back and forward to do our jobs," she a number of senior roles in nursing, including with the Public Health Agency and as an advisor to health officials at Stormont, Cullen joined the nurses' union the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) before becoming its general secretary and chief said she joined the RCN because it was a non-striking union yet, during her tenure, she led members in unprecedented strikes as part of a campaign for better pay and conditions, first in Northern Ireland then in England and Wales. 'Take that Irish woman back home' Lobbying at Westminster brought her up against former Conservative Health Secretaries Matt Hancock and Steve Barclay and she said her presence was perhaps not always recounted on one occasion when an unnamed assembly member, who was visiting London, was encouraged to "take that Irish woman back home" with republican politician had particular praise for the Democratic Unionist Party Strangford MP Jim Shannon for his support during the nurses' strike. "Just as I was about to go on Sky TV [in London], I get a tap on the shoulder and it was Jim Shannon. He had seen me on the television and knew I was there," she said."I appreciated that very, very much because it was someone from home and it was someone who understood. "That was a decent thing for him to do and I'll not forget it." You can listen to the full interview with Pat Cullen on the BBC Red Lines podcast on BBC Sounds. The interview was recorded before the recent killings in Maguiresbridge.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Young boy killed in 'hit-and-run' car and scooter crash: Man, 51, arrested
A little boy has died in a horrific hit-and-run traffic collision in Northern Ireland, leading to the arrest of a 51-year-old man. The child was riding a scooter when he was hit at the Strand area of Portaferry yesterday evening. The News Letter reported that the 12-year-old was visiting the harbour town with friends but lived in a nearby village on the Ards Peninsula. He was fatally struck by a red Skoda Fabia and was rushed to hospital after emergency services were called at 11pm. A middle-aged man was arrested for a number of related offences and despite medical attention, the boy died of his injuries. DUP MP Jim Shannon for the area said he was 'so distressed' to hear of the accident, adding that 'any death is difficult, but the death of a child just hits that bit harder', according to the News Letter. The Strand was still closed today as police continued to investigate, with the cops urging the public to come forward if they have any dashcam footage of the devastating crash. If witnesses had any evidence of the collision they should reach out to Collision Investigation Unit detectives via 101, quoting reference number 1788 08/07/25. The unit's Inspector Cherith Adair for Police Service of Northern Ireland said: 'Shortly after 11pm, it was reported that a red Skoda Fabia and a scooter were involved in the collision. 'A young boy, who was riding the scooter, was taken to hospital but sadly died as a result of his injuries. 'One man aged 51 years old was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of related offences. 'He remains in police custody at this time. The Strand remains closed to traffic at this time. 'Enquiries are continuing, and anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dashcam or other footage which could assist with our investigation, is asked to contact Collision Investigation Unit detectives via 101, quoting reference number 1788 08/07/25.'
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UK parliamentary panel slams Pakistan for state-backed persecution of minorities
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) organised a session at the UK Parliament's Committee Room 7, to expose the ongoing religious persecution of minorities in Pakistan. UK Parliamentarians, human rights advocates, and community representatives provided testimony and presented documented evidence revealing that atrocities against minorities in Pakistan are not isolated incidents. (Representational image/AFP) The gathering brought to light the systematic and state-sponsored nature of these abuses, painting a grim picture of life for religious minorities under the shadow of Pakistan's military and political machinery. Parliamentarians, human rights advocates, and community representatives provided testimony and presented documented evidence revealing that atrocities against Hindus, Christians, Shias, and Ahmadis are not isolated incidents. Instead, they are part of a deliberate strategy executed with the backing of the Pakistani state and military establishment. UK MP Jim Shannon, who is a vocal advocate for global religious freedoms, opened the session with strong condemnation of Pakistan's role, stating that these crimes represent an orchestrated campaign of oppression rather than rogue acts of extremism. One of the most harrowing issues raised was the large-scale abduction and forced religious conversion of minor girls from Hindu and Christian communities, particularly in the Sindh province. It is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 girls are abducted each year, often trafficked through religious shrines run by politically connected clerics operating with the protection of the state and army. The discussion also highlighted a disturbing pattern of attacks on religious sites, including Hindu temples and dharamshalas, that are frequently burned down in coordinated assaults. These attacks, such as the 2023 rocket attack on a temple in Kashmir, are carried out with impunity and have contributed to a growing climate of fear among minority populations. The panel emphasised that these acts are not random but appear to be part of a broader effort to erase the cultural and religious heritage of non-Muslim communities. The targeting of Shia Muslims and Ahmadis was also addressed, with testimonies pointing to enforced disappearances, sectarian violence, and the systematic denial of religious rights. In many cases, law enforcement agencies are either inactive or complicit, emboldening extremist groups to operate without consequence. The resulting fear and insecurity have driven thousands of minority families, particularly in Sindh, to flee their ancestral homes. Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM) Chairman Sohail Abro, along with representatives from the Christian and Ahmadiyya communities, called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable. The session was also attended by UK MPs Fleur Anderson and David Smith, the latter of whom presented detailed statistics and firsthand accounts documenting Pakistan's human rights violations. Representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Global British League (JKGBL), including Ayub Iqbal and Hasam Rafique, lent their support and expressed solidarity with persecuted communities. The session concluded with an urgent call to action for the international community to no longer turn a blind eye to the religious persecution unfolding in Pakistan under the protection of its state and military apparatus. Delegates and experts emphasised the need for immediate international condemnation and accountability, urging independent investigations into forced conversions, child abductions, and attacks on religious institutions. The panel also called for targeted sanctions against those in the Pakistani military and political establishment found responsible for these grave abuses, in line with the UK's Magnitsky framework. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of including Pakistan's religious persecution in both the UN Human Rights Council's agenda and the UK's annual report on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Religious persecution of minorities in Pakistan exposed at UK Parliament, state and military-backed atrocities unveiled
London [UK], July 4 (ANI): The All Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) organised a session at the UK Parliament's Committee Room 7, to expose the ongoing religious persecution of minorities in Pakistan. The gathering brought to light the systematic and state-sponsored nature of these abuses, painting a grim picture of life for religious minorities under the shadow of Pakistan's military and political machinery. Parliamentarians, human rights advocates, and community representatives provided testimony and presented documented evidence revealing that atrocities against Hindus, Christians, Shias, and Ahmadis are not isolated incidents. Instead, they are part of a deliberate strategy executed with the backing of the Pakistani state and military establishment. UK MP Jim Shannon, who is a vocal advocate for global religious freedoms, opened the session with strong condemnation of Pakistan's role, stating that these crimes represent an orchestrated campaign of oppression rather than rogue acts of extremism. One of the most harrowing issues raised was the large-scale abduction and forced religious conversion of minor girls from Hindu and Christian communities, particularly in the Sindh province. It is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 girls are abducted each year, often trafficked through religious shrines run by politically connected clerics operating with the protection of the state and army. The discussion also highlighted a disturbing pattern of attacks on religious sites, including Hindu temples and dharamshalas, that are frequently burned down in coordinated assaults. These attacks, such as the 2023 rocket attack on a temple in Kashmir, are carried out with impunity and have contributed to a growing climate of fear among minority populations. The panel emphasised that these acts are not random but appear to be part of a broader effort to erase the cultural and religious heritage of non-Muslim communities. The targeting of Shia Muslims and Ahmadis was also addressed, with testimonies pointing to enforced disappearances, sectarian violence, and the systematic denial of religious rights. In many cases, law enforcement agencies are either inactive or complicit, emboldening extremist groups to operate without consequence. The resulting fear and insecurity have driven thousands of minority families, particularly in Sindh, to flee their ancestral homes. Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM) Chairman Sohail Abro, along with representatives from the Christian and Ahmadiyya communities, called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable. The session was also attended by UK MPs Fleur Anderson and David Smith, the latter of whom presented detailed statistics and firsthand accounts documenting Pakistan's human rights violations. Representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Global British League (JKGBL), including Ayub Iqbal and Hasam Rafique, lent their support and expressed solidarity with persecuted communities. The session concluded with an urgent call to action for the international community to no longer turn a blind eye to the religious persecution unfolding in Pakistan under the protection of its state and military apparatus. Delegates and experts emphasised the need for immediate international condemnation and accountability, urging independent investigations into forced conversions, child abductions, and attacks on religious institutions. The panel also called for targeted sanctions against those in the Pakistani military and political establishment found responsible for these grave abuses, in line with the UK's Magnitsky framework. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of including Pakistan's religious persecution in both the UN Human Rights Council's agenda and the UK's annual report on Freedom of Religion or Belief. (ANI)
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
The toll it takes: Looking back at the times MPs cried in the Commons amid mystery over Chancellor Rachel Reeves' tears during PMQs
The House of Commons has witnessed fiery clashes, impassioned pleas, and witty verbal sparring, but every so often, Parliament takes a teary tone. Watch below for a round-up of the times MPs were overcome with emotion. Tears roll down Chancellor Rachel Reeves ' cheek during PMQs Tears rolled down to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' cheek during PMQs yesterday as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to say she was secure in her job, as he was battered over his welfare surrender. She is said to have admitted to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle that she was 'under so much pressure' minutes before taking her seat in the Commons. Disabled Labour MP's emotional reaction to Welfare Reform Bill Disabled Labour MP Marie Tidball broke down in tears as she urged the Government to reverse proposed cuts to PIPs on 1st July, saying she was voting against it with a 'heavy and broken heart'. She said the payments 'helped build the bridge to the deinstitutionalisation of disabled people'. DUP MP breaks down recalling his mother-in-law's death DUP MP Jim Shannon could not hold back his tears, recalling how his mother-in-law died alone during the Covid-19 pandemic. The emotional moment came about as he asked if a 'full and complete disclosure' of information would be made to police, who were then investigating the 'Partygate' scandal, in January 2022. Rosie Duffield moves MPs to tears sharing domestic abuse story MP Rosie Duffield delivered a poignant speech on her domestic abuse ordeal, moving colleagues to tears, in October 2019. She spoke during a debate about the Domestic Abuse Bill, revealing how she suffered verbal abuse and financial control. Rachel Reeves bursts into tears paying tribute to MP Jo Cox Rachel Reeves, was overcome with emotion as she paid tribute to MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed multiple times, ahead of a constituency surgery. Reeves burst into tears as she spoke about how the slain MP's children would not be able to see their mother again, in June 2016. MP struggles to speak after hearing story about starving child Heidi Allen, then Conservative MP, was visibly emotional and struggled to speak after hearing Labour's Frank Field talk about a young boy who was 'crying through hunger'. She told MPs that she 'doesn't know where to start after that' as she stood up to respond, in March 2018. Mark Francois' tearful tribute to Sir David Amess MP Conservative MP Mark Francois paid a tearful tribute to his friend, Sir David Amess MP, who was murdered at a constituency surgery by a British ISIS sympathiser Ali Harbi Ali. Francois choked up as he said Sir David was the 'best bloke he ever knew', in October 2021. Labour's Naz Shah in tears during Gaza debate Labour MP Naz Shah wiped at her eyes with a tissue in the Commons after telling MPs of the plight of children in Gaza and calling on the UK to 'ramp up its effort to end the bloodshed'. The Bradford West MP, who was a shadow Home Office minister at the time, then watched on with a solemn look as the Government responded to her question, in November 2023. MP's emotional speech about the loss of her baby Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft delivered an emotional speech, opening up about the loss of her newborn daughter Veronica, at five days old. Speaking during a Baby Loss Awareness Week discussion in October 2016, she said it was 'the hardest speech she has ever had to write'.
