The power of money

NY pressure causes mural removal

New York city's chief financial officer has revealed how he acted to have a loyalist mural in the Shankill area of Belfast removed.

The mural, which bore the slogan "Welcome to the UFF heartland Shankill Road. Quis separabit", was on the side of a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet.

It was removed after the New York City Comptroller contacted KFC headquarters.

He reminded the company that New York's Pension Funds owned KFC shares worth more than $30m.

The mural was painted over within 24 hours.

In a new report, the comptroller, William C Thompson - who manages more than $90bn in pension funds - said he acted in defence of the MacBride Principles on employment.

These consist of nine fair employment principles.

The report said the Shankill incident showed "the ability of the Pension Funds to act swiftly in defense of the MacBride Principles"