WARRINGTON 4 Brexit leader Sally Bate has resigned as an EU Parliamentary candidate for the Brexit Party following her colleague’s “ambiguous position” on the IRA bomb attack on the town in 1993 which claimed the lives of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball.
In a statement Sally, who co-founded the Warrington 4 Brexit Group, becoming leader said: “I refer to the statement made by my fellow candidate Claire Fox about the position of her former party, the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) on the Warrington bombing by the IRA in 1993. I am unhappy with Claire’s statement, since she has not categorically condemned the violence inflicted by the IRA.
“I stand with Colin Parry and his family and all victims of the Warrington bomb and in view of Claire’s ambiguous position on the issue I cannot continue to stand beside her as a Brexit Party candidate and resign with immediate effect.”
Peace campaigner Colin Parry, who had spoken to Sally and Claire about comments, said: “Claire failed to answer my simple question ‘Do you now disavow your comments in 1993?’ She dissembled and manouvered around my question without answering
it.”
Meanwhile Nick Taylor, Chief Executive of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace said: “Colin and Wendy Parry had to endure yet more pain as a candidate for the upcoming European elections refused to distance herself from support from those who carried out the attacks on Warrington that killed Tim and Johnathan and wounded 56 other people. Claire Fox has been selected by the Brexit Party as their number one candidate in North West England. Fox is a former core activist and organiser for the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP). In 1993, on the day after Tim Parry’s funeral, the Revolutionary Communist Party’s official newsletter under a headline that said ‘our response to the Warrington bombing’ stated that they defended ‘the right of the Irish people to take whatever measures necessary in their struggle for freedom’. Fox, at the time, was also a member of the Irish Freedom Movement, which backed dissident republicanism. At the time the world’s media and the families were still coming to terms with the tragedy and thankfully this endorsement of paramilitary violence remained unreported.
“Twenty-six years on the pain is still profound and the last twenty four hours has been one of numbness and confusion that such extreme views could still exist, and incredulity that anyone who aligns to such views is being considered for public office. The answer to the question is simple – violence can never be justified.
“At the Peace Foundation we are not politically aligned, we do not pursue causes or campaign except in one regard, in that we stand and advocate for peace. We have zero tolerance to those who seek to divide our society, those who promote any form of hate and those who endorse, even implicitly, violence of any nature. To add to the pain, Colin Parry has had to endure a number of calls from the political party that Fox is a part of, numerous members of the media, and has even agreed to take a call from Fox and had to hear her repeatedly refuse to change her stance. The statement that Fox stands by is not radical it is extreme and we should not have any place for such views in a tolerant and democratic society.
“Warrington is the home of peace, following the bombing it acted with true leadership and dignity led by the local council, faith and community groups of all complexions. It quelled any hate and anger and instead acted in a spirit of enterprise and reconciliation. And, it stood firm putting the victims first. Most recently, our neighbours in the City of Manchester have done the same after the 2017 attack. Politicians provided that leadership and did so under the banner ‘we stand together’ and here at the Peace Centre in Warrington we support many hundreds of people affected and, whilst terrorism is a crime against society, in Warrington we have shown that society will, first and foremost, stand by victims and survivors.
“Everyday I see Colin and Wendy and I and my team see their daily lives that have been given over to the pursuit for peace and how the family continues to cope with their loss. They are not alone. Terrorism and conflict has affected people from all sides.
“Those who want to be politicians have a moral, ethical and humane duty to provide leadership, to heal divisions and stand against hate and violence. They also have a duty of care for their fellow citizens, particularly those who have been affected by violence. We, at the Peace Foundation, will continue in our work for peace led by Colin and Wendy and, if Claire Fox or any other politician wants to meet us then they will be welcomed into the Peace Centre. But they should understand they enter a building and meet with a Foundation which has zero tolerance to violence and anyone who advocates for extremist action will be challenged to the core.
“What happens next is not up to us, but my team is rallying round the Parrys and our collective strength will continue our quest for peace.
Meanwhile Graham Gowland, Chair of Warrington for Europe said: “We know that views are polarised on the subject of Brexit and we must respect differing opinions. However, there are some views that are so beyond the pale that they have no place in the public arena.
“The Brexit Party candidate Claire Fox’s defence of the IRA bomb that decimated our town falls into that category.
“Whatever our disagreements, I would hope that all political parties can unite around one thing. People who defend the IRA bombing in Warrington and believe the innocent lives that were lost are a price that’s worth paying for Irish republicanism have no place in mainstream politics.
“I would therefore urge all candidates to strongly condemn Claire Fox and urge Nigel Farage to withdraw her candidacy.
“Nigel Farage has recently spoken about bringing honour back to politics. If he really believes this then he must ensure that apologists for violence. In this case the IRA, like Claire Fox are not on the ballot paper to represent Warrington in the European elections on 23 May.”
I give some credit to @Fox_Claire for having the gumption to call me today but the fact that she repeatedly refused to disavow her comments supporting the IRA bombing which took Tim’s and Johnathan’s young lives proves she hasn’t changed her original views
— Colin Parry OBE (@ColinParryPeace) May 1, 2019
#Brexitparty candidate for NW England in the EU Elections, @Fox_Claire defended the IRA bombing of Warrington in 1993 because the IRA was ‘defending itself’! Voters should reflect on her suitability to represent them when they cast their vote
— Colin Parry OBE (@ColinParryPeace) April 30, 2019
Warrington 4 Brexit leader chosen to represent Brexit Party in EU Elections
1 Comment
Sally Bate has the strength of character to resign rather than stand on a platform with Clair Fox!