When Robbo's away, The Idiot will play...

And still it rumbles on:

Mr McNarry said an apology was needed to close down an issue which could cause embarrassment and problems in the future.

Peel simply gave a personal opinion, although he may regret the kerfuffle caused (or may not). Either way, he should only now apologise if he no longer believes his original stated opinion.

Just as a side issue, Poots' and The Newsletter’s reprinting of what was a private email- is it only me that finds it slightly unethical (and cowardly, bearing in mind that they were very careful to block out the name of the person who leaked it to the Dupes)?

Onward:

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Conservatives said they had already made it clear the comment on the site was a personal posting, not the view of the party and they had had it removed.

However, a Conservative spokesman reiterated the remark was someone’s “personal view” and the party had total respect for the Orange Institution.

He added: “The Conservative Party has no issue with the Orange Order. It is a perfectly legal organisation and many of its members are engaged in charity and church work.”

Not really a great deal to add to that, but the Pooter-Scooper has a go anyway:

Mr Poots said this was the Tories making “clear their feelings regarding the Orange Institution and indeed Ulster/Protestant culture”.

Well, yes.

And the elusive Mr Peel, original author of offending piece?

Dear readers, your Editor is basking in the South of France so this may mean that comment moderation and approval will be a tad slower than normal. Normal service will resume on 21st Aug. I’m still writing and approving but from a phone…so just bear with me. Greetings from sunny Cannes. Ed.

So he will know what’s been going on, perhaps a little comment would be appropriate in the circumstances.

Final thought, Poots' boss in also on holiday, I wonder will he be overly-delighted with developments in the souring relationship between the Dupes and the UK's next governing party?

Ongoing developments are also being covered by Chekov, Fair Deal and Ignited.