Alliance Leader to boycott sham re-launch of Environment and Heritage Service

2.02.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Jun 2008

Alliance Leader David Ford intends to boycott tomorrow's re-launch of the Environment and Heritage Service because the Executive has failed to create an independent Environmental Protection Agency. Mr Ford said that tomorrow's event is the political equivalent of the emperor's new clothes, as the organisation already exists. He plans to spend the time of the EHS re-launch with environmental campaigners instead, as he shares their concerns about the Executive's failure on this issue.

David Ford said: "I will be boycotting the re-launch of the Environment and Heritage Service. This event is a total sham. What we should have been seeing is the launch of an independent EPA instead of a re-launch of this already existing body. This event is the political equivalent of the emperor's new clothes.

"Tomorrow's re-launch is a farce and an embarrassment for the Department of the Environment. Instead of going, I will discuss the way forward with environmental groups who are also boycotting the event.

"The Executive's spin doctors can dress up this re-launch as much as they like but it's still a sad joke. Tomorrow's event only highlights Ministers' abject failure to protect the environment."

ENDS