Council withdraws support for future jobs fairs featuring British Army

Derry City and Strabane District Council has voted to withdraw any involvement in the organisation or marketing of any future jobs fair that includes the British Armed Forces.

Proposed by Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson, the motion stated that the presence of the British Armed Forces at a recent jobs fair organised by the Department for Communities (DfC) had acted as a "barrier" for some people seeking employment opportunities.

Jackson said the legacy of the Armed Forces in Londonderry had been one of "trauma, hurt and destruction".

DUP councillor Niree McMorris said the motion would limit employment opportunities and accused council of politicising employment opportunities.

BBC News NI has contacted the the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for comment.

Previously, the British Army pulled out of a jobs fair at the council-owned Foyle Arena last year after the MoD, which had initially registered as an employer for the event, decided not to go ahead with a stall.

Speaking in support of his motion, Jackson said: "The legacy of the British Armed forces in this city has been one of trauma, hurt and destruction of many people."

He added: "To have the British Armed forces present at a jobs fair has become a barrier for many people who are seeking employment or looking to advance their careers."

"It has caused hurt to families and victims," he said.

Jackson told the full council meeting on Wednesday that preparations were already underway for a council-run jobs fair without the presence of the British Military.

"We as a council have an opportunity to hold our own jobs fair and preparation to host a jobs fair is already underway," he said.

"We can't have people who are resident in this council area who want to seek and further their careers be intimidated out of it."

SDLP councillor Rory Farrell said his party fully supported the motion.

"We do not support any organ of the British military being invited to a jobs fair anywhere across this city and district," he said.

"In the event that they are present, there should be no council role whatsoever in facilitating that jobs fair."

DUP councillor Niree McMorris opposed the motion, arguing that jobs fairs should provide equal access to a range of employment opportunities.

"A jobs fair should be inclusive not selective," McMorris said.

"Whatever our individual political perspectives may be, employment fairs should be about opportunity, choice and equal access to careers.

"Excluding the British armed forces from participating sends entirely the wrong message and denies local people the chance to hear about a legitimate and respected career path."

McMorris said many former members of the British Armed Forces lived in the city and district and "deserve neither discrimination or exclusion".

"This council should not be in the business of deciding which lawful employers are politically acceptable and which or not," she said.

"If we start excluding organisations because some disagree with their role, where does that end?"

She added that residents deserved access to a range of employment opportunities and said "they can make informed decisions for themselves".

UUP councillor Darren Guy also raised concerns about the motion, while acknowledging the reasons some councillors opposed the Armed Forces' presence at jobs fairs.

He said he could understand opposition given "what happened on the streets in our city and in their homes", but stressed that "a jobs fair is all about choice".

"The armed forces is a legitimate employer," he said.

Guy questioned whether the motion could go "against the equality and good relations policy of this council".

He also criticised what he described as the removal of an employment option for people who might lack the qualifications or skills needed for other jobs advertised at the fair.

"The constant shouts of oppression of the Irish people and the high levels of poverty in our city and district yet all we hear now is elected representatives looking to remove an avenue of employment that may be the best option for someone who doesn't have the skills or qualifications for other jobs on offer at the fair," he said.

"If this council excludes the armed forces from a jobs event for political reasons there is a credible argument that the decision is inconsistent with section 3, 4 and 5 of our equal opportunities policy because it limits opportunities available to those seeking potential employment."

Senior solicitor at council told members at the meeting that, as with any motion passed, it would result in a paper being brought before all elected members, "where relevant matters would be addressed and considered".

The motion was passed with 34 votes for, five against and no abstentions.