Tyrone MP facing calls to resign over Kingsmill Massacre video

QRadio News

A Sinn Fein MP is facing fresh calls to resign after posting a video to twitter with a Kingsmill-branded loaf on his head on the anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre.

Barry McElduff has apologised for Friday's post, insisting it was not meant as a reference to the republican murders of 10 Protestant workmen in 1976.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating the incident. 

Superintendent Emma Bond said: "Police have received a number of reports of a post on a social media platform, made by a local public representative. Enquiries are ongoing."

The well-known Kingsmill brand of bread shares a name with the south Armagh village that witnessed one of the most notorious incidents of the Troubles.

Gunmen stopped a van carrying textile workers on their way home, identified the Protestant occupants, lined them up at the side of the road and shot them.

Only one of the 11 men gunned down survived the attack.

In the video, West Tyrone MP Mr McElduff, who is known for his light-hearted social media contributions, is filmed walking around a shop with a Kingsmill loaf on his head, asking where the store kept the bread.

It was posted on the 42nd anniversary of the Kingsmill outrage.

"When I posted the video I had not realised or imagined for a second that there was any possible link between the brand name of the bread and the Kingsmill anniversary," Mr.McElduff said.

"It was never my intention to hurt or cause offence to anyone and in particular to victims of the conflict who have suffered so grievously.

"I apologise unreservedly for the hurt and pain this post has caused."

Raquel Brush's father, Kenneth Worton was among the victims.

"He should have resigned by now. If he had any common decency in him but it wouldn't even enter his head to do that" she told QRadio. 

"It's beyond belief. I'm absolutely discusted, as is my sister. She's actually saying he blood is boiling she's that mad. 

Ms.Brush isn't convinced by the MP's explination saying he hadn't made a connection between his video and the anniversary at the time. 

She said "Oh, he had it down to a tee. He did it perfectly. He knew exactly what he was doing, couldn't have timed it any better." 

A parliamentary watchdog has also been asked to investigate the Republican MP's actions.