People Before Profit criticises Michelle O'Neill's attendance at Coronation

People Before Profit has issued a party statement in response to Sinn Féin leader Michelle O'Neill's announcement that she will attend the coronation.

Foyleside People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin said: "We can't sit quietly as £100 million and more is squandered on lavishly celebrating a billionaire and a multi-billion institution, while children are being targeted with savage cuts to food grants, speech and therapy support, school programmes and while households are on their knees with cost of living hardship.

"The monarchy represents everything that is wrong with our society. Gross wealth inequality, inherited privilege, and empire are nothing to celebrate. Sinn Féin should be ashamed of the decision to attend King Charles’ coronation.

"People Before Profit are socialists. We recognise that there are people across these islands who will struggle to make ends meet while the lavish coronation ceremony for a billionaire takes place.

"We would never attend such a ceremony - we want to make monarchy history. While the Sinn Féin leader toasts the Head of the British armed forces, we will think of the millions who have suffered at the hands of Britain’s imperialist ventures from Derry to Baghdad. Reconciliation must not mean brushing the crimes of empire under the carpet," said Cllr Harkin.

Cllr Harkin said People Before Profit had stood alongside striking workers from across all communities – Protestant, Catholic, and none - who suffer from the continuation of monarchy.

He added: "They are being told the money doesn’t exist for their fair pay awards while £100 million is spent on Charles’ coronation. We will fight to build an anti-sectarian, class politics that unites all people in pursuit of a fair and just society.

"We are living in a time of great change. A time when the Tories and the whole establishment are on the attack. A time when tens of thousands of workers are striking for fair pay and demanding investment in services, and for an end to a society based on the exploitation of the majority and obscene wealth for a small few.

"Working class communities have no need for reconciliation with the unjust and undemocratic institution of monarchy. We look forward to its demise."