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Larger unionist parties fail to support TUV Irish language signs petition

Timothy Gaston hoped to get 30 signatures to trigger executive consideration of the decision to install dual language signs at Grand Central Station

ExpandTUV MLA Timothy Gaston. PICTURE: LIAM MCBURNEY/PA (Liam McBurney/PA)By John Manley, Politics CorrespondentApril 29, 2025 at 5:20pm BST

A TUV petition opposing Irish language signs at Belfast’s Grand Central Station has failed to gain support from any other unionists.

North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston described the absence of backing from his DUP and Ulster Unionist counterparts as “shameful”.

Ahead of Stormont’s Easter recess, the sole TUV representative placed what he termed a “simple petition” in the assembly’s business office.

He hoped to get the signatures of 30 unionist MLAs opposed to the Irish language signs, prompting the matter to be considered by the executive.

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Larger unionist parties fail to support TUV Irish language signs petition

The petition argued that infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins’ decision to install dual language signs at the new £340m transport hub was both ‘significant and controversial’ and had been decided unilaterally, without consideration by other ministers.

The leaders of both the DUP and Ulster Unionists had criticised Ms Kimmins’ decision.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said his party was “putting down a marker”, while UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said the cost of replacing existing signage – estimated at £120,000 – was an issue for him.

Design work on the signs has been halted due to a legal action lodged by unionist activist Jamie Bryson.

Jamie Bryson has lodged a legal challenge against the decision to install dual language signs at Grand Central Station. PICTURE: ALAN LEWIS/PHOTOPRESS (Alan Lewis – Photopress Belfast/Photopress Belfast)

The TUV confirmed on Tuesday that there was no additional support for Mr Gaston’s petition, which had been open for ten sitting days of the assembly.

“I regret to say that not a single member of the assembly added their name beside mine – not one,” the North Antrim representative told the assembly.

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He criticised those who “like to speak grandly about unionist unity”.

“Often, they like to point to my party and claim that we are the obstacle to it, however, here was the test,” Mr Gaston said.

He said all unionists agreed that the Sinn Féin minister’s actions were “controversial and provocative, and amounted to poking the loyalist community of Sandy Row in the eye”.

“The Sandy Row community — already ignored when it came to the demolition of the Boyne Bridge and already punished by the effective sealing off of businesses around Grand Central — will now have Sinn Féin-imposed Irish language signs upon them,” he said.

“Where was the unionist unity when it truly mattered?”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said a petition would not invalidate the minister’s decision.

“⁠The TUV on social media has wrongly insinuated that the petition would veto the DfI (Department for Infrastructure) decision,“ she said.

“The legislation says a valid petition ‘shall refer the decision to the Executive Committee for its consideration’. There is no mention of the petition acting as a veto.” ⁠

The Lagan Valley MLA said DUP ministers would “continue to lead the challenge of this controversial DfI decision”.

Larger unionist parties fail to support TUV Irish language signs petition

Timothy Gaston hoped to get 30 signatures to trigger executive consideration of the decision to install dual language signs at Grand Central Station