Scottish First Minister John Swinney is facing criticism for his recent summit with Sinn Fein and other nationalist leaders, with opponents accusing him of a deal that risks 'glorifying' violence and 'insulting' victims of past atrocities.
The meeting in Cardiff, which included leaders from devolved governments in Wales and Northern Ireland, saw the participants declare that the time of the Westminster government is 'coming to an end.' Swinney, representing the Scottish National Party (SNP), is pursuing a strategy aimed at breaking up the United Kingdom.
Kenny Donaldson, director of the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), a victims and survivors support organization, questioned the judgment of the SNP and Plaid Cymru in forming a 'separatist deal' with Sinn Fein. He stated that these parties were uniquely positioned to demand that Sinn Fein abandon its justification and glorification of violence, suggesting this should have been a prerequisite for any alliance.
Donaldson highlighted that his group has members from diverse backgrounds, including those affected by IRA violence. He referenced comments made earlier in the year by Swinney, suggesting people should 'move on' from Sinn Fein's historical links to the IRA. Families of those killed during the Troubles, including relatives of Scottish soldiers, had previously expressed deep hurt and offense at these remarks.
Alex Blair, whose brother Lance Corporal Donald Blair was killed in a 1979 bomb attack, also described Swinney's comments about 'moving on' as 'deeply hurtful' and called for a public apology.
Critics also condemned the summit as 'constitutional stunts' and argued that aligning with Sinn Fein would anger many Scots who remember the trauma of the Troubles. The SEFF has called on the SNP and Plaid Cymru leaderships to clarify their stance on terrorism in the context of the Northern Ireland Troubles and Sinn Fein's efforts to contextualize or downplay past violence.
During the summit, Swinney expressed his belief that another Scottish independence referendum could occur within the next five years, despite the SNP not securing a majority in the recent election. He signed a memorandum of understanding with other nationalist leaders, reiterating their assertion that 'Westminster's time is coming to an end.' Swinney characterized the event as a 'pivotal moment in the constitutional journey of the United Kingdom,' aiming for Scotland to determine its future within the current parliamentary term.
In the 2014 independence referendum, 55% of Scottish voters chose to remain in the UK. Swinney's current push for renewed independence discussions and his alignment with Sinn Fein have drawn criticism for allegedly disregarding the majority who voted against separation and for disrespecting victims of political violence.