Labour leader and Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
walked
across the Peace Bridge in Derry/Londonderry today alongside Sara
Canning, partner of Lyra McKee.
Journalist Lyra McKee was murdered in 2019. The Labour leader
heard from Sara Canning about the long campaign for justice for
Lyra during a meeting at the Guildhall.
The group discussed Lyra’s commitment to diversity and equality,
her legacy and the huge work still to do to deliver on the
promise of peace for a younger generation.
The visit to Derry/Londonderry came on the second day of a
two-day visit to Northern Ireland by Starmer and Haigh. The pair
held meetings at Stormont yesterday with the leaderships of all
five parties in the Northern Ireland Executive.
Other engagements included a visit to WAVE Trauma Centre to meet
with victims and survivors of the Troubles, to an integrated
primary school in Belfast and to the Headquarters of the Police
Service of Northern Ireland to meet senior police officers.
Speaking in Derry/Londonderry, , Leader of the Labour Party, said:
“Lyra McKee was the very best of Northern Ireland. She dreamt of
a future of equality and reconciliation.
“Lyra's partner, Sara Canning has fought a determined campaign
for justice. Her determination to build on Lyra’s legacy, and to
build a lasting peace, is humbling and demands all our support.
“I was honoured to cross the Peace Bridge, a symbol of
reconciliation between two communities, with Sara.”
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, , said:
“Lyra McKee is an inspiration to me and so many across these
islands and around the world. She was a tolerant, progressive
voice for change.
“It was such an honour to walk across the Peace Bridge with
Lyra’s partner, Sara Canning. Out of terrible grief and trauma,
she is building on Lyra’s remarkable legacy and continues to show
incredible courage in speaking out.
“The work to build on the promise of peace depends on all of us
standing squarely alongside those like Sara.”
