Minutes show intense Executive conflict between Foster and Mallon during Covid inquiry

Former Northern Ireland first minister Baroness Arlene Foster clashed bitterly with Executive colleague Nichola Mallon during a meeting at which ministers disagreed over an extension to lockdown measures during the pandemic. Minutes from the meeting of the Stormont Executive, on November 9, 2020, show Ms Mallon of the SDLP accusing the DUP of putting lives “in danger”. Lady Foster, who led the DUP at the time, hit back saying, “only Covid deaths matter to SDLP”. The handwritten notes from the meeting were published on the website of the Covid-19 Inquiry on Wednesday evening. Much of the evidence heard while the inquiry has been sitting in Belfast has focused on the fractious series of Executive meetings over four days in November 2020 when ministers struggled to agree on a two-week, circuit-breaker extension to restrictions, as recommended by health officials. The DUP, which was concerned about the economic effect of continued closures of close-contact services and coffee shops, triggered a cross-community vote on the proposals, essentially a veto mechanism to stop the majority opinion from holding sway. Multiple witnesses have characterized the exchanges as a low point in Executive relations, and Lady Foster acknowledged in her evidence to the inquiry on Wednesday that the use of the cross-community vote damaged public confidence. The minutes record Lady Foster stating: “No desire to move forward together.” Ms Mallon then responded: “Mid December – hospitals over-run – will they take comfort from DUP position?” Former Infrastructure Minister Ms Mallon said: “DUP blocked all proposals – put lives of citizens in danger.” The minutes record Lady Foster saying: “People put me in office to protect. “Only Covid deaths matter to SDLP. All deaths matter to me.” Ms Mallon then responded: “Mid December – hospitals over-run – will they take comfort from DUP position?” The clash between the two high-profile politicians sheds light on the challenges faced by the Northern Ireland Executive in navigating the complex decisions around pandemic response measures. The handwritten minutes from the time show Lady Foster stating: “No desire to move forward together.” “We put forward compromise – Exec did not agree.” Former Infrastructure Minister Ms Mallon said: “DUP blocked all proposals – put lives of citizens in danger.” The minutes record Lady Foster saying: “People put me in office to protect. “Only Covid deaths matter to SDLP. All deaths matter to me.” Ms Mallon then responded: “Mid December – hospitals over-run – will they take comfort from DUP position?” The clash between the two high-profile politicians sheds light on the challenges faced by the Northern Ireland Executive in navigating the complex decisions around pandemic response measures. The clash between the two high-profile politicians sheds light on the challenges faced by the Northern Ireland Executive in navigating the complex decisions around pandemic response measures. Multiple witnesses have characterized the exchanges as a low point in Executive relations, and Lady Foster acknowledged in her evidence to the inquiry on Wednesday that the use of the cross-community vote damaged public confidence. The minutes record Lady Foster stating: “No desire to move forward together.” “We put forward compromise – Exec did not agree.” Former Infrastructure Minister Ms Mallon said: “DUP blocked all proposals – put lives of citizens in danger.” The minutes record Lady Foster saying: “People put me in office to protect. “Only Covid deaths matter to SDLP. All deaths matter to me.” Ms Mallon then responded: “Mid December – hospitals over-run – will they take comfort from DUP position?” The clash between the two high-profile politicians sheds light on the challenges faced by the Northern Ireland Executive in navigating the complex decisions around pandemic response measures. Multiple witnesses have characterized the exchanges as a low point in Executive relations, and Lady Foster acknowledged in her evidence to the inquiry on Wednesday that the use of the cross-community vote damaged public confidence. The minutes record Lady Foster stating: “No desire to move forward together.” “We put forward compromise – Exec did not agree.” Former Infrastructure Minister Ms Mallon said: “DUP blocked all proposals – put lives of citizens in danger.” The minutes record Lady Foster saying: “People put me in office to protect. “Only Covid deaths matter to SDLP. All deaths matter to me.” Ms Mallon then responded: “Mid December – hospitals over-run – will they take comfort from DUP position?” In conclusion, the clash between Baroness Arlene Foster and Nichola Mallon during a meeting on lockdown extension highlights the tension within the Northern Ireland Executive. The disagreement over pandemic response measures and the subsequent use of a cross-community vote reveal the challenges faced by policymakers in navigating public health and economic interests. As the inquiry continues to uncover details of these meetings, it becomes evident how crucial effective decision-making and collaboration are in managing crises like the Covid-19 pandemic. https://therealcrimediary.com/minutes-show-intense-executive-conflict-between-foster-and-mallon-during-covid-inquiry/?feed_id=57132&_unique_id=66d3686639635

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