Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy hits out UKIP’s David McNarry over Exploris comments

THE Alliance party has slammed UKIP’s David McNarry over comments he made about Portaferry and the closure of Northern Ireland’s only aquarium.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said UKIP’s David McNarry described under threat Exploris Aquarium’s location as “the back end of nowhere” and the venue as “a fancy plaything for anoraks”.

Mr McCarthy, who represents the Strangford constituency is opposed to a decision by a Ards Borough Council committee that recommends Portaferry-based Exploris should be closed.

Said the Alliance MLA: “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,” he added.