During a meeting with Translink Chiefs yesterday (2 August) TUV leader Jim Allister raised concerns about the company’s decision to ban staff wearing armbands in support of local soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Since then the issue has received coverage from local newspapers and the BBC. However Translink have continued to defend their policy, arguing that the ban was introduced in order to maintain a neutral working environment and citing guidelines issued by the Equality Commission. However Jim Allister has since discovered that Translink are content to permit a memorial to IRA hunger strikers on company owned land near Newry. Furthermore the company has sponsored events organised by the West Belfast Festival which promotes an overtly republican bias.

Commenting on the revelations that Translink may be less than ‘neutral’ Jim Allister stated:

“It is now clear that Translink are operating a twin track approach with regards to their policy on equality. A relative of a young man prepared to put his life on the line in Afghanistan is banned from wearing an armband yet Translink are more than prepared to support a memorial to those IRA prisoners that engaged in the hunger strikes.

“The gross hypocrisy of Translink is evident. It is deeply offensive to employees who wish to demonstrate their support for local men who are serving in Afghanistan. In light of these revelations I am calling upon Translink to urgently review their policy on the wearing of the Royal Irish Regiment Armband and ensure they are on the right track when it comes to equality for all their employees.”