Guernsey Press

DUP leader urges bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland

Arlene Foster said there is ‘growing support’ for the idea.

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Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster has called on Scots to back proposals to build a bridge to Northern Ireland.

Mrs Foster said there was “growing support” for the idea as she addressed an Orange parade in Fife.

She was the main speaker at the Cowdenbeath event, organised by the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland.

The DUP proposed a feasibility study into building a bridge to Scotland in 2015.

“What better way to cement that relationship than through a bridge?

“Amongst all the nasty and abusive comments made about the Orange wouldn’t it be great to become an actual bridge builder between Northern Ireland and Scotland?

“Whilst some foolishly attempt to use Brexit to build a border between Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are more progressive, we want to build a bridge.”

Orange Order parade
DUP leader Arlene Foster with participants at an Orange Order march in Cowdenbeath (David Cheskin/PA)

Speaking before the event, Mrs Foster made a plea for certainty on Brexit.

“I think most people want to see that now. We’re two years after the referendum,” she said.

“It’s important that we get that certainty soon.

“It takes two to tango and we need the European Union to step up to the plate and to recognise that Brexit is happening, so let’s make it a good Brexit for us, and a good Brexit for the European Union as well.”

Orange Order parade
Participants at an Orange Order march in Cowdenbeath (David Cheskin/PA)

The DUP leader – who addressed the parade but did not participate in the march through Cowdenbeath – said: “I am the last in a long line of unionist leaders coming along here.

“I am not really sure why people would object to me coming here today. This is my culture actually, this is who I am.”

Police Scotland said the march was attended by around 4,000 people, with no significant incidents reported.

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