NI100: Michael D Higgins defends decision not to attend centenary event

Irish President Michael D Higgins has denied that he is snubbing the Queen by turning down an invitation to a church service to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland.

The president said he declined the invite because the event had become politicised.

The Queen is due to attend the event in Armagh on 21 October.

President Higgins said the title of the service made it inappropriate for him to attend as head of state.

He said the title, which states that the event will "mark the centenaries of the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland", was political, the Irish Times and the Belfast Telegraph has reported.

President Higgins also said he had been incorrectly referred to as the president of the Republic of Ireland in the invitation rather than the president of Ireland.

Speaking from Rome where he met Pope Francis on Friday, the president said the event had started out as an invitation to a religious service but had become a political statement.

"I am not snubbing anyone and I am not part of anyone's boycott or any other events in Northern Ireland," he said

"I wish their service well but they understand that I have the right to exercise discretion as to what I think is appropriate."

The president's decision provoked criticism in Northern Ireland, with Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson saying it was a "disappointing and retrograde step".

However, President Higgins said criticism from the DUP was "a bit much".

"I have gone up to Northern Ireland to take part in events. There often has not been a great deal of traffic down from the DUP people who are criticising me now."

Sir Jeffrey said the president's comments were "not conducive to reconciliation" and added that he was disappointed by his remarks about the DUP.

He told BBC Radio UIster's Good Morning Ulster programme on Friday morning that the church service was intended to mark the event of the centenary and "reflect where we are".

"It is not just my party that has raised this as a concern. unionists will be disappointed," he said.

"Failing to recognise the existence of Northern Ireland does not help anybody."

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, however, tweeted that the partition of Ireland had been a "catastrophe for our people and our country".

She added "The partition of Ireland costs us to this day, holds us back, divides us. Uachtarán na hÉireann has made clear his decision not to attend a commemorative event. His decision is the correct one."

Once elected Irish presidents, like the Queen, are rarely criticised and are expected to be above daily politics.

So, it is no surprise there has been to date a largely muted reaction south of the border to President Higgins' decision not to attend the centenary event organised by the four main Christian churches.

Those few voices that have asked him to reconsider his position have done so in the name of north-south reconciliation - a cause he would argue he has been to the forefront of with his first state visit to the UK by an Irish president.

Those who support his decision say no head of state of any country could acquiesce to an event that marked the partitioning of his country and caused huge harm.

In past comments, President Higgins, who was a left-wing politician, has spoken about "ethical remembrance" and reminding the British of their role in colonialism and imperialism and the legacy of that for descendants.

While his non-attendance at the event has been criticised by unionist and other politicians, it is unlikely to damage his reputation south of the border where the controversy is largely seen as - at least until now - a "political bubble" story.

Catholic Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown said he believed President Higgins was acting in good faith and would have taken very serious considerations before making a statement.

"It is really very unfortunate because I know the church leaders wanted a non-political event," he told BBC's Radio Foyle.

"I have no doubt this is very much a principled decision on the part of Michael D Higgins - he simply feels it would be impossible for him to be part of what he sees as a politicised event."

Responding to President Higgins' explanation for not attending the church service, Ulster Unionist MLA Mike Nesbitt said he had previously admired the president's outreach.

"If there was a problem with language then there is no reason why the presidential support staff could not have opened a quiet back channel to resolve all issues of language," he said.

He added that the issue had the potential to "infect good relations and reconciliation".

Alliance MP Stephen Farry previously called on President Higgins to reconsider his decision, saying the event was "very much in keeping with the reconciliation efforts of successive Irish presidents and the Queen".

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney travelled to Belfast on Friday to continue talks with Stormont parties on Friday as the controversy over the service continues.

Speaking ahead of another event to mark the centenary organised by the Presbyterian church, he confirmed the Irish government had been consulted about the president's invitation to the church service.

But he said there was no "clear advice" given on whether or not he should attend.

He added President Higgins had made his own decision and that had to be respected.

The Irish government previously said the issue of attendance at the service was a matter for the president alone and any invitation for a government representative to attend would be considered.