Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has said he expects “severe repercussions” against any Orange Order member involved in a video mocking the death of Michaela McAreavey.
peaking to BBC Radio Ulster, Mr Elliott stopped short of saying he believed any members of the organisation should be removed from it.
It’s after the video emerged on social media, showing a group of men singing a song mocking the 2011 murder of the 27-year-old schoolteacher, who was on honeymoon in Mauritius when she was strangled after disturbing a burglary in her hotel room.
It has not yet been confirmed when and where the footage of the singing was taken, but it was filmed in a room decorated with union flags and Orange Order paintings.
Two men who were involved in the clip have issued an apology for broadcasting and singing about Mrs McAreavey’s murder. The Orange Order has launched an inquiry.
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Mr Elliott, who is himself a member of the Order,said: “I think if they are members of the Orange Order there will be very, very severe repercussions, and disciplinary action taken. I have no doubt the Orange Order will do that in their own proper manner and through their own proper channels.”
He added that he thinks it would be “unfair” for him to comment and “damage any potential issues that may come forward” through the PSNI and Orange Order’s investigations into the footage.
Speaking on the same programme, Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew called for “leadership” from the PSNI.
“Lets stamp out this sectarianism and hatred in our society,” she said. “You can’t have healthy and resilient communities when this stuff is allowed to happen.”
The PSNI has confirmed they are examining the video.
In a statement issued through the PA news agency, John Bell and Andrew McDade, who appeared in the video, said it was a “matter of deep shame and regret” to have been involved in broadcasting and singing about her murder.
They added that it was an “offensive, vile and wholly abhorrent chant” and claimed it “is not reflective of who we are as people”.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin also told the media on Friday he was “appalled and horrified” at the video.
The two men involved claimed they have since had family and friends “subjected to online threats and abuse” as a result of the video being shared.
“This Facebook live video was not streamed with the intent of broadcasting any offensive chants whatsoever, rather it was generally broadcasting from the room,” the statement from JWB Consultancy continued.
We have been made aware of highly offensive social media content allegedly made by one of our employees, and now comment as follows –
As a family and as a business, we endeavour to ensure an ethos of respect, inclusivity and consideration in everything we do. pic.twitter.com/eoUIgqItPc
— Norman Emerson Group (@normanemerson) June 3, 2022
“However, whether broadcast or not, the relevant chants should never have been sung either in public or private.
“We offer our sincerest and deepest apology to the Harte and McAreavey families, and indeed to wider society for our actions which whilst fuelled by alcohol, can neither be mitigated or excused in any shape or form.
“Our apology is unequivocal, and our acceptance of wrongdoing is absolute.”
Linfield Football Club has also issued an apology and confirmed they have removed one of their voluntary coaches after their involvement in a video mocking the death of Michaela McAreavey.
Another firm – the Craigavon based sand and gravel supplier Norman Emerson Group Ltd – also said they are investigating allegations the video was “allegedly made by one of our employees”.
The Belfast football club issued a statement following widespread condemnation of the social media video and confirmed the girls’ Academy coach has been removed from his position by the club.
“Linfield FC has today been made aware of a deeply offensive video in circulation on social media in which the involvement of a coach at our girls’ Academy can be clearly identified,” the statement read.
“The coach in question has been contacted and notified that his voluntary association with the club has been terminated with immediate effect.”
The club said they condemned the “offensive, sickening and deeply hurtful and insulting chanting” in the video and said they wished to “disassociate itself totally from the unacceptable behaviour”.
“Linfield FC apologises to the Harte/McAreavey families for the hurt that has been caused to them by the offensive actions of one of our now former coaches.”
In a statement, Norman Emerson Group Ltd said they had been “made aware” of the video and the apparent involvement of one of their workers.
“As a family and as a business, we endeavour to ensure an ethos of respect, inclusivity and consideration in everything we do,” they said.
“Please be assured that a full and thorough internal investigation is underway.”
Justice Minister Naomi Long said she has raised the video with PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne, calling it “depraved”.
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