Blood Thicker than Suspension 2
I was waiting in the Great Hall this morning when David Ford and his posse ambled towards me. The Alliance leader began to roll his sleeves up and for a moment I thought I was going to have to get my boxing gloves on. But no, he was intent on showing me the puncture mark on his arm as proof positive that he was the official sponsor of Monday's event organised by the Blood Transfusion Service, which I had earlier reported had been co-sponsored by Iris Robinson and Michael McGimpsey.
My original source stood his ground, so to get to the bottom of the bloody mess (I am using that term literally not metaphorically) I double checked with the Transfusion Service direct. They tell me that on Monday evening they were honouring the 68 people in Northern Ireland who have given bone marrow. The Health Minister and the Chair of the Health Committee were both on the official list of guests. But one couldn't show and the other was prevented from attending by the small matter of being suspended for the day from the Assembly precincts.
The event's sponsor was indeed David Ford. Moreover he was one of two out of 108 MLAs who attended a Transfusion Service donation session in Stormont earlier in the day. The Service was open for business between 9.45 and 15.30 and only two MLAs, Mr Ford and the Deputy Speaker John Dallat gave blood.
I am ashamed to say that the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Political Editor didn't donate either. The last time I gave blood I did such a good impression of Tony Hancock that the nurse suggested I shouldn't come back. However, to atone for my sin in getting the details wrong in my last post on this topic, I have agreed with the Transfusion Service to put my arm at their disposal tomorrow afternoon.
I'm 