Over 60 pages of WhatsApp messages sent between members of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have been released by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, offering a glimpse into the opinions of some of the party’s most senior officials as the pandemic unfolded. The exchanges feature straightforward chats and snappy comments about ministers from other political parties in the Assembly’s executive. The messaging group covers the period between January and November 2020.
In one message on 13 March, Lord Weir, who was education minister at the time, remarked on Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin’s decision to call for the closure of schools. The DUP minister commented, “Wasn’t aware of his qualifications in virology”. An individual whose name was censored replied, “Write back and tell him we don’t live in the South [Republic of Ireland] and that his institution hasn’t the best track record of looking out for the welfare of kids.”
There were various snipes aimed at the leader of the Alliance Party, Naomi Long, throughout the discussions about the pandemic. On 7 May, Lord Weir described Long as “hard to listen to.” On 23 July, he wrote, “Naomi talking about wind instruments – oh the irony!” A larger dispute occurred on 9 November when Lord Weir stated that Michelle O’Neill was “making a pig’s ear of this,” to which Edwin Poots retorted, “comes naturally.”
On 17 March, when the pandemic had hit Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly expressed interest in a “four-nations press conference” with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She suggested, “All devolved regions with PM on televised conference to reassure people”. Little-Pengelly stated that leaders needed to speak up to calm the public’s panic.
The publication of the WhatsApp messages provides insight into the personal views of DUP members during the coronavirus pandemic. While the messages feature some snappy comments and criticisms of other ministers, they do not demonstrate that any of the officials acted unlawfully or inappropriately
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