Heather Humphreys was the guest speaker at a unionist meeting during a general election campaign for an Orange Order member – and former UDR soldier – who caused controversy when he said he wouldn’t attend GAA matches or pride events.
Humphreys spoke at the February 2015 event with the Ulster Unionist Party’s (UUP) Tom Elliott before the British elections in May that year. She spoke “on a wide variety of topics” according to the Ulster Unionist Party.
Formerly the Orange Order’s Fermanagh Royal Black county grand master, Elliott joined the order as an 18-year-old and has been a member for more than 40 years. “They support the monarchy of the United Kingdom; they have a dedicated Christian conviction, a long and proud history, and a commitment to community and charitable outreach that we want to continue and enhance,” he told The News Letter.
Tom Elliot, who led the party from 2010 to 2012, was running in the Fermanagh-South Tyrone constituency, ultimately winning a seat with 46 percent of all ballots.
After the election was announced in January, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys joined Elliott at one of his party events, with the UUP promoting her appearance on one of its Facebook pages.
“Tom Elliott MLA with our guest speaker at tonight’s Fermanagh & South Tyrone Meeting, Heather Humphreys TD from Monaghan,” reads the post, which included a picture of the pair.
According to another post Humphreys spoke about “the Irish economy, commemorative events surrounding WW1 and also projects she is heading up in the future like the Ulster Canal”.
“All of us”, read the post, "from the Fermanagh & South Tyrone Ulster Unionist Party would like to thank her for coming and sharing her views on Northern Ireland and Republic if Ireland Politics.”
Elliott faced controversy in 2010 over comments he made about the LGBT community and GAA.
“I have indicated at party meetings that whilst some members of our party would go to gay pride marches or GAA matches, I wouldn't go,” he said, as reported by the Belfast Telegraph. “That's a personal issue, but I hold no issue with any of those who would.”
The following year he was criticised for remarks about Sinn Féin supporters – whom he called “scum”. Elliott later apologised and claimed he had been provoked by Irish Republicans celebrating with tricolours.
In 2022 the Irish News reported that Elliott had told Unionists not to lose hope in Northern Ireland, despite unionists being mistreated by Westminster. “Even though it may at times appear that the UK is not serving our best interests, don’t give up on it,” he said.
On winning a seat in 2015 Elliott said the constituency "does not belong to Bobby Sands, it belongs to the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone and that is who I intend to represent," RTÉ reported. Elliott said the area is “not a green constituency.”
The Heather Humphreys campaign has been contacted for comment.
