Grief and Fury: Families of IRA Victims Blast Scottish First Minister's Sinn Fein Alliance

Families of Scottish soldiers killed by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) are reportedly "furious" with Scottish First Minister John Swinney's decision to align with Sinn Fein at a recent separatist summit. Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservative leader, stated that he has spoken directly with victims' families who are deeply critical of Swinney's engagement with the Irish nationalist party, particularly his alleged failure to acknowledge Sinn Fein's historical connections to the IRA.

Findlay described Sinn Fein as a party "soaked in blood" and expressed dismay that Swinney has not called for the party to condemn past terrorist acts. The summit, held in Cardiff last month, focused on independence movements in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Swinney was pictured alongside Sinn Fein's vice president Michelle O'Neill and president Mary Lou McDonald, as well as Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.

"They are furious," Findlay said of the victims' families. "They believe that the First Minister for all of Scotland is not even willing to acknowledge what Sinn Fein has represented and in some ways continues to represent."

He added that the families find it "inappropriate, hurtful and unsavoury" that Swinney would associate with Sinn Fein. Findlay challenged Swinney to explicitly state that while he is entitled to work with Sinn Fein as a democratically elected party, he should urge them to denounce the IRA's "murder and the terrorism and the bombings."

During a session of First Minister's Questions, Swinney was pressed on the issue and insisted that he opposes terrorism but declined to specifically ask Sinn Fein to denounce the IRA's actions. This stance follows previous criticism Swinney faced for suggesting that people should "move on" from the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Findlay acknowledged the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and Sinn Fein's status as an elected party. However, he argued that it is "unpalatable" for Swinney to advocate for the United Kingdom's dissolution with a party that has not fully renounced the violence that resulted in thousands of deaths, including those of Scottish soldiers.

Findlay suggested that Swinney might be conflicted, driven by a desire to break up the UK, leading him to an "unsavoury bedfellow" in Sinn Fein. He expressed doubt that Swinney harbours sympathy for IRA terrorists but believes the pursuit of separation has led to this political alignment.

In a separate interview, Findlay stated that Scotland needs to "move on" from the independence debate and that there is "no appetite" for another referendum.