THE SNP are anti-English, antisemitic and anti-Indian, Arlene Foster has claimed.
The former first minister of Northern Ireland was speaking at the London launch of her new pro-Union “Together UK Foundation” when she made the comments.
The non-profit, which Foster chairs, had its official first launch in Belfast in early September. However, its website was only launched at a private event in Kensington in the UK capital on Wednesday.
Foster was joined by Tory MP and avowed Brexiteer Steve Baker at the event, which she previously claimed would be attended by up to 100 “people of influence”.
The launch was covered by ConservativeWoman in an article headlined "Arlene Foster’s inspirational move to keep the Kingdom United" and promoted by Together UK on its new website.
In the article, Foster is said to hold a “particular brief against the Scottish National Party which she described as being just about anti-everything – anti-English, antisemitic, and anti-Indian”.
There is no explanation of her comments offered, and Together UK failed to respond when asked for one by The National.
Speaking at the event, Foster (below) also said: “The case for an idea must be renewed with each new generation, its relevance secured with each new generation and its value communicated to each new generation.
“The Together UK Foundation wants to be a key partner in that generational renewal of the United Kingdom. The Foundation wants to offer the ideas for our best future.”
She added: “What equally unites us is that separatism in whatever form is not the answer. A common trait of the separatist factions is their belief that their victory is an historic inevitability. It enables them to carry on regardless of failure after failure … We know the future is not written, but we know how it can be.”
Together UK claims to be a “non-party political organisation” that is “inclusive of all cultural and political backgrounds within the UK, with the aim to provide a unifying voice that is informed, independent and factually based”.
Its London launch coincided with an event in Belfast’s Ulster Hall run by Ireland’s Future, a foundation formed in 2017 with the aim of “paving the way to the reunification of the island”.
The pro-Union foundation’s next event is scheduled to be held in Belfast on January 23, 2023 and is titled: “What has the United Kingdom ever done for me?” Currently, Foster is the only confirmed speaker.
As a minister, Foster was responsible for the “Cash for Ash” scandal which eventually led to the toppling of the Northern Irish Executive and cost the taxpayer as much as £490 million.
She took a seat in the House of Lords in November 2022, after having led the DUP for six years from 2015 to 2021.
Together UK did not respond to The National’s request for comment.
