Appearance is everything
| 19:55 UK time, Tuesday, 17 July 2007
My attempts on Monday night to get a list of Stormont ministers due to attend today's NSMC seems to have caused some confusion. First I was told by a senior DUP source that not all the party's ministers would attend, and that the enterprise minister Nigel Dodds for example had a pressing engagement with lottery officials about the multi-million Titanic quarter. Ahead of a live radio braodcast this morning I asked a Stormont press officer at around 7.30 am for a list of attendees and was told all the ministers would be at the NSMC. So I checked back with my DUP source who said the enterprise minister was not going because he was meeting lottery officials. When I asked if the minister was snubbing the NSMC I was told firmly he was certainly not. The DUP source then suggested it was possible Mr Dodds might make it for the lunch. At ten minutes to ten, while preparing to report the minister's possible absence,I was told by the same DUP source that there certainly was no issue around Mr Dodds attendance and that Mr Dodds might appear at some point in the day. So at ten o'clock I reported that Mr Dodds may or may not be there. To my surprise, the uncertainty lasted about 20 seconds. For as the bulletin finished, the enterprise minister appeared before my eyes, walking past Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness as they gave a news conference. Naturally, I swiftly reported that Mr Dodds had indeed turned up. Smiling executive officials have continued to insist this was always the plan. But another DUP insider told me Mr Dodds had delayed his meeting and made strenuous efforts to be there for the start of the meeting to ensure there was nothing negative read into his absence. After all who needs a titanic public relations disaster on such a big day? So in the end the only absent stormont minister was Michael McGimpsey - who was on leave.
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Martina
With Michael McGimpsey on holiday the UUP could have replaced him with a lifesize cardboard cutout. It would have made a more meaningful contribution than the real McGimpsey.
Frank
Carryduff
Martina,
I think it is quite obvious that Mr Dodds did not intend to appear at the NSMC, but for the reason (and perhaps there were others) that you have cited he played it cautious and was therefore present. If one looks closely, however, at the 'family' pic of the assembled members who clearly jostled for position to smile and be included in the photo, you will see a rather (unusually) diffident Mr Dodds (and only he) hiding from view behind his female colleague (Smiling or not - the latter, I'm sure). If one is in any doubt, though, of Mr Dodd's lack of interest in forming a cohesive government in the new assembly, were relationships between once sworn enemies appear to be growing faster than the so-called superbugs in our hospitals, then have a look at the other pic from the recent British-Irish Council Summit were, again, Mr Dodds has slid into the background and, worse still, didn't even attempt to look towards the directing photographer, instead, (seemingly – as he is out of view) opting to glare at Bertie's flamboyant tie. Make your own mind up, but mine is firmly convinced - Mr Dodds is clearly finding it difficult to accept we have entered a new dawn.
PS at least his erstwhile colleague, Mr Allister, had the spunk to voice his disdain at the sharing of power with the 'shinners' and got to hell out of there!