“Hyperbolic rhetoric” from Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson will do nothing but divide our society further, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. Mr Blair was speaking after Ms Anderson’s speech at a hunger strike commemoration rally in Strabane, in which she said the UK Government’s “days were numbered in Ireland,” “you will not be closing […]
Alliance has selected John Blair MLA to contest the South Antrim Westminster seat at any forthcoming General Election. Mr Blair, who has been MLA for the area since replacing David Ford in June 2018, said it would be an opportunity for people to back the only Remain party in the constituency which can realistically win. […]
Alliance South Antrim MLA John Blair has hit out at those behind a hoax device which forced the evacuation of residents in Antrim. The elaborate hoax was discovered at Castle Grounds, facing Antrim PSNI station, at 7pm yesterday (Monday). Nearby roads were subsequently closed off and residents evacuated until 2.30am this morning. Mr Blair, who […]
Alliance Party representative on the Policing Board, John Blair MLA, has said the call from the Chief Constable for 800 additional police officers should be supported. John Blair said: “Recently we have seen the vital role the PSNI play in protecting the community from evil people who want to return to violence. Through my role […]
Alliance Policing Board member John Blair MLA has condemned those behind an explosive device which detonated in Co Fermanagh earlier today. The PSNI said a number of officers were lucky to not be killed or injured when the device went off in Wattle Bridge, close to Newtownbutler. A warning had been received and a hoax […]
Alliance Policing Board member John Blair MLA has said unionist parties criticising the police response to a flute band who wore Parachute Regiment insignia at a parade in Derry-Londonderry risks undermining the work of the PSNI and fuelling false notions of two-tier policing. Mr Blair was speaking after the DUP and UUP met with police […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has welcomed the creation of a new £400,000 environment fund by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), aiming to more easily connect people to the natural environment. The Environmental Challenge Competition is open to local councils and not-for-profit organisations who want to apply for funding for […]
There is a pressing need to clearly define hate crime legislation in Northern Ireland, Alliance representatives have told a senior judge carrying out a review of the issue. John Blair MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA were speaking after meeting with Judge Desmond Marrinan to discuss his independent review of hate crime, with the goal of […]
Policing Board member John Blair MLA has condemned what police have described as a dissident republican attempt to murder PSNI officers in the Craigavon area overnight. The police have reported a loud bang in the Tullygally Road area of the town, with a viable device later discovered. John said: “While it remains unclear the extent […]
The Stormont House Agreement proposals are the best way of dealing with the legacy of the past, Alliance MLA John Blair has told the new PSNI Chief Constable. Alliance Policing Board member Mr Blair was speaking after attending an introductory meeting with Simon Byrne, alongside party colleagues Stephen Farry MLA and Councillor Sorcha Eastwood. Mr […]