Sinn Féin election candidates in ’embarrassing’ dispute over seat at Derry school debate

Two candidates from Sinn Féin engaged in an “awkward” debate about who should participate in the school debate.

Chiara Ferguson and Padrej DeLarge announced their participation in the Foyle Sequential Game, organized by students from Derry Thornhill College.

The school found itself in an “awkward position” after Mr. Delarge attended a panel discussion when organizers expected only one representative from Sinn Féin.

After some discussion, it was decided that only Mrs. Ferguson should be a member of the team on behalf of her party, as she had responded to the invitation earlier.

This means that all parties in Thursday’s discussion have a representative on the committee.

Sinn Fein said both of its candidates had been invited to run, but “other parties objected”.

“To be honest, it’s ridiculous,” said Sean Harkin, the People Before Profit candidate who raced them. “I mean, what’s going on here?”

Two candidates are participating in the student debate, both are trying to speak at the same time and had to discuss who would be able to speak.

“It was a little funny, I was mostly mean to the students because they were in this awkward situation.”

SDLP’s Sinead McLaughlin said it was “embarrassing” to see Sinn Fein “fighting for a seat”.

She joined the fight in the Girls’ Catholic Gymnasium on behalf of her party, which brings together three candidates in VOYLE for the May Council elections.

“I must say it was very embarrassing to be sitting in front of these young women who had really important questions to ask before Sinn Féin’s two candidates were nominated for a seat,” McLaughlin said.

“Students of politics organized it in such a way that all parties had fair and equal representation, so watching the vote for 20 minutes was absolutely ridiculous.”

Also participating in the session were Gary Middleton of DUP and Ryan McCread of UUP.

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Mr. Harkin said he was told that both Sinn Féin’s nominees had received the initial invitation, but only Ms Ferguson had responded, so organizers weren’t expecting Mr. Delarge appeared.

“There was talk of them sharing their time” before it was decided Ms Ferguson was the only one who should be on the committee, she said.

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “Each of the Sinn Féin candidates has been invited to participate in discussions with students at Thornhill College.

Padraig Delarge and Chiara Ferguson attended the session together. At the last minute, other parties opposed the participation of two Sinn Féin candidates on the jury, although they were invited for the same reasons as the others.

After a brief discussion with the organizers, Padrej stepped aside and participated in the audience, while Chiara led the discussion for Sinn Féin.

“Padraig Delarge and Chiara Ferguson are working together to make real change for the people of Derry, strengthening healthcare and supporting workers and families in a cost-of-living crisis.”

Thornhill College has been contacted for comment.

Mr. DeLarge and Mrs. Ferguson were elected in Stormont last year to replace Martina Anderson and Karen Mullane after Sinn Fein asked them to leave the shockwave within the party.

This was the second time that Xin Fen had completed both periods of the Assembly in the same period.