Enforced Endorsement of British Forces 'Morally Repugnant'

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Monday October 27, 2008 21:20 by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin tiocfaidh at btinternet dot com +44-7835 620 592 / +353-87 261 8603

RSF hit out at X Factor.

Republican Sinn Féin hit out at the reality television show “X Factor” for cynically using an Irish contestant to promote British Imperial misadventures throughout the world. A spokesperson for the organisation said that it was morally repugnant that producers would pressurise contestants into endorsing foreign occupation.

On the latest edition of the show, contestants including County Derry’s Eoghan Quigg were forced to perform a song in tribute to those who have invaded Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq, and countless other countries, and displaced and murdered the native populace.

County Derry-based Director of Publicity for Republican Sinn Féin, Richard Walsh, said: “It has also come to light that X Factor forbade Kevin Lynch’s Hurling Club from using the name of the club on banners in support of Eoghan Quigg. Instead, the banner is in the name of ‘Dungiven hurlers’.

“X Factor on the one hand are promoting British aggression throughout the globe, and on the other are shunning a man who selflessly sacrificed himself on hunger strike in support of the right of the Irish people to govern themselves. He resisted British occupation through all means at his disposal.

“Concerns have also been expressed that all contestants will now be forced to wear Britain’s Imperial Poppy, which is soaked in the blood of countless men, women and children. Such a move would be a further insult to the heroic memory of Kevin Lynch.”