DUP MLA faces criticism after response to PSNIs new gender inclusive uniform policy

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DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley has been subjected to criticism on social media after responding to a PSNI tweet regarding their new inclusive uniform policy.

Arking Foyle Pride on Saturday, the PSNIs online LGBT+ Network account tweeted: We’re proud to say that this week our Police Service changed its policy on uniform items.

The post featured PSNI officer Paul Bloomer, co-chair at the polices LGBT group.

This means all officers have agency over their gender presentation. Men, women & those with non-binary identities may wear either hat. A small but meaningful step forward for equality, they added.

In response, the Upper Bann politician was critical of the tweet and replied: Im sure you all feel great. Everyone can stand around and clap each other on the back in the politically correct brigade.

How about getting on with the real issues affecting people such as tackling drugs, theft and crime?

While Mr Buckley had restricted those who could directly reply under the tweet, scores of users responded through retweeting, including a number of his political opponents at Stormont.

Alliance Party MLA Eoin Tennyson suggests Mr Buckleys tweet says it all about DUP priorities.

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His party colleague the East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds, added: Very serious issues, Jonathan.

Perhaps lay off bashing the police and those you oppose on Twitter and let MLAs get back to work in the Northern Ireland Assembly to help tackle drugs, theft and crime issues in NI?

Meanwhile SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan wrote: The DUP would know plenty about standing around, clapping each other on the back and NOT doing their jobs.

Get back to work, form an Executive & resolve the issues affecting people’s lives instead of pointing at everyone else, he said.

Mr Buckley did receive some support for his post, including from the Anglican Deacon and television presenter Calvin Robinson who replied, hear hear.

The DUP has been contacted for a response.

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The row over the tweet came on the same day Mr Bloomer also faced abuse online after the PSNIs LGBT+ Network shared a video of him performing the Macarena dance in his uniform at Foyle Pride in Londonderry.

Mr Bloomer can be seen in the video performing the moves of the Los del Rio party-hit alongside a female colleague.

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In the tweet, the PSNI LGBT account wrote: We’re here @FoylePrideFest dancing the Macarena to engage with the public and to show some support for our colleagues in @LincsPolice. Happy Pride everyone celebrating this weekend.

However, not everyone was happy with the footage, with a number of users online criticizing the video and the officer himself.

Posting on Twitter, Mr Bloomer later wrote: Someone took a sneaky video of me dancing @FoylePrideFest. Its hard not to join in when theres so much positivity around you.

The PSNI has been contacted.

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