DUP MPs criticised for openly supporting Donald Trump with 2020 election banner

Sammy Wilson, DUP MP for East Antrim
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Kit Heren3 September 2020

Three Northern Irish MPs have come under fire for posing with a banner in support of Donald Trump's re-election campaign.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Sammy Wilson shared a photo of himself with colleagues Paul Girvan and Ian Paisley holding a large flag bearing the slogan: "Trump 2020 Keep America Great".

The MPs were soon criticised for the photo, which was taken outside the Houses of Parliament.

Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said: "These four are an embarrassment by parading this flag on the grounds of our Parliament.

"Almost 200,000 Americans have sadly died while the racist, sexist and homophobic US President continues to spout hate."

Doug Beattie, Northern Irish legislator for the Ulster Unionist party, said the photo made him "cringe".

When asked if he would prefer they support another candidate, he tweeted: "Not in the slightest bit interested in who they feel they want to support..... flags, thumbs & Trump make me cringe."

When approached for comment on the picture, Mr Paisley told the Standard on Thursday: "Best wishes to Mr Trump as he seeks re-election! Keeping America Great!"

The North Antrim MP has previously said he is "good friends" with Mr Trump and added that the president keeps a framed picture of himself with his father, the former First Minister of Northern Ireland who died in 2014.

He told the Belfast Telegraph in August: "I do like him. I think he's a character and I think he's very different from his television persona. I got the pleasure of meeting the whole family and, of course, his wife Melania.

"I think I'm the only or one of the few politicians since he's been president, one of the few British politicians, who's met him every single year of his presidency and has had lunch with him."

The US presidential election takes place on November 3, with Mr Trump running against the Democrat Joe Biden.

Mr Wilson declined to comment. Mr Girvan has been contacted for comment.