Rather than support his constituents as they fight Ards Borough Council’s decision to close the Exploris Aquarium, Mr McNarry – UKIP’s only elected MLA – chose to describe the aquarium’s location as ‘the back end of nowhere’ and Exploris as ‘a fancy plaything for anoraks’.
Strangford MLA Kieran McCarthy – who has been vocal in his opposition to the decision – said: “The comments made by David McNarry MLA are totally shocking and I am calling on him to withdraw these outrageous remarks immediately.
“This is not the first time Mr McNarry has referred to Portaferry in such offensive terms and he must apologise for the shocking and embarrassing way he has treated the concerns of his constituents.
“Portaferry is a fantastic location, with warm and friendly people always ready to welcome visitors. They need public representatives willing to support them at every opportunity, not those who laugh and dismiss them on a whim.
“It is obvious David McNarry only cares about one area of the constituency and I must question his dedication to everyone in Strangford when he is prepared to let another source of tourist revenue be so easily taken away.”