February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The SDLP bans its elected representatives from receiving such awards but it has so far raised no objections to Kelly’s OBE.
Sinn Fein assembly member, John O’Dowd, has challenged the SDLP to “come clean” about its position after Kelly’s decision. “British colonialism”, he said, “has brought nothing but pain and misery to the Irish people”.
“It is inconceivable how any Irish person who would describe themselves as nationalist or republicans would allow themselves to become embroiled in the British honors system.
“It looks very much as if this decision is a U-turn on party policy and a serious insult to the millions of Irish people and others around the world who have suffered at the hands of British imperialism.”
SDLP deputy leader, Alasdair McDonnell, was quoted in one newspaper saying he was “delighted” for Kelly and “wished him well,” adding that his work on the Policing Board had been “superb”.
McDonnell said that whether Kelly chooses, as a party member, to accept his award was his decision, “but I accept it. If Tom is comfortable with it, so am I.”
The SDLP’s official position has always been that these awards endorse the British state and the royal family and are thus inappropriate for Irish nationalists to accept.
It has criticized British honors recipients in the past, including Lord (Gerry) Fitt, its founder, who was knighted after leaving the party in 1983.
It’s believed that John Hume, another former party leader, refused an award several times, most recently in 1998, the year he won the Nobel peace prize.
Kelly is believed to accept that his decision is controversial and did not consult the SDLP about the nomination. He was on holiday in Athens, Greece, when the news broke.
Kelly joined the businessman founder of Galen Holdings, Dr. Alan McClay, and former Presbyterian Moderator and leading ecumenist, Ken Newell, on the honors list. Eight police officers were also honored.