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Mick Wallace

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Mick Wallace
Wallace in 2019
Member of the European Parliament
Assumed office
2 July 2019
ConstituencySouth
Teachta Dála
In office
February 2011July 2019
ConstituencyWexford
Personal details
Born
Michael Wallace

(1955-11-09)9 November 1955(age 68)[1]
Wexford,Ireland
Political party
Spouse
Mary Murphy
(m.1979;div.1992)
Children4
Alma materUniversity College Dublin
Websitemickwallace.net

Michael Wallace(born 9 November 1955) is an Irish politician, former property developer and formerMember of the European Parliament(MEP) fromIrelandfor theSouthconstituency from 2019 to 2024. He is a member ofIndependents 4 Change,part ofThe Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL.He was aTeachta Dála(TD) for theWexfordconstituency from 2011 to 2019.[2][3]

Entering politics in 2011 following thepost-2008 Irish economic downturn,Wallace was considered one of the most eccentric and unconventional figures in Irish politics.[4][5]Wallace gained a reputation foranti-establishmentandleft-wing populistviews,[5][6]and became a frequent guest on the political debate showTonight with Vincent Browne.In 2012, it emerged that during his time as a property developer, Wallace's company owed €2.1 million to the state in unpaidvalue-added taxes.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

Since 2012, Wallace has had a close political association withClare Daly.As an MEP, Wallace has gained international attention for his foreign policy positions, describing himself as fighting "anti-Russia"and" anti-China"rhetoric. His views have been the subject of controversy and criticism in Europe, but have been promoted by state-controlled media in Russia, China,Iran,Syria,and otherauthoritarianstates.[5][13][14][15][16][17]

Early and personal life[edit]

Wallace was born inWellingtonbridgeinCounty Wexford,Ireland in 1955. The son of businessman Joseph Wallace and his wife Maureen,[18][19]he was one of a family of 12 children.[20]His father, a formerFianna Fáilmember, was the head of a family that owned and operated several businesses in Wellingtonbridge.[21][22][23]He graduated fromUniversity College Dublinwith a degree in English, history and philosophy, and later obtained a teaching qualification.[24][25]He married Mary Murphy fromDuncormick,County Wexford in 1979; the couple had two sons, but the marriage ended when the children were young. Wallace had two more children from another relationship in the 1990s.[23]

In 2007, Wallace founded theWexford Football Club[26]which he managed for their first three seasons,[27]and was chairman of its board.[28][29]The club is in theLeague of Ireland First Division.[30]He is also a supporter of Italian football clubTorino.[31]

Prior to entering politics Wallace owned a property development and construction company completing developments such asTheItalian Quarterin the Ormond Quay area of theDublin quays.The company later collapsed into liquidation, with Wallace finally being declared bankrupt on 19 December 2016.[32][33][34]

Political career and election as TD[edit]

Prior to entering politics, Wallace had expressed his political views publicly. In 2002,Dublin City Counciltook a case to theHigh Courtto demand Wallace remove a banner saying "No to War. No toNice.No to American Terrorism ". The court ruled in Wallace's favour, allowing him to keep the banner.[35]In 2003, the council forced Wallace to remove another banner opposing the Iraq War from one of his sites.[36]

On 5 February 2011, while a guest onTonight with Vincent Browne,Wallace made the announcement that he intended to contest theupcoming general electionon 25 February as anIndependentcandidate.[37]Running on the slogan "For a New Politics",[38]he topped the poll in theWexford constituencywith 13,329 votes and was elected on the first count.[39]According to John Dwyer, who stood against him in that election, Wallace's tax affairs were "the talk of the pubs, all of these things were known. Because he was such a rebel, because he was prepared to stick the finger up at the authorities, he got elected."[23]

Shortly after being elected, Wallace was caught by a microphone inDáil Éireannsaying "Miss Piggy has toned it down a bit today", referring to an outfit worn byMary Mitchell O'Connor.After Mitchell O'Connor described the comments as "really hurtful" to her,[40]he accepted responsibility and later apologised, saying "It was my fault. I passed the reference because of her handbag. I'm completely out of order. I don't have a leg to stand on […] Clearly it was in bad taste." He called Mitchell O'Connor to apologise and said he would write a letter of apology to her as well.[41]

Wallace co-founded theIndependents 4 Change,which was registered to stand for elections in March 2014.[42]

During their time in the Dáil, Wallace andDublin NorthTDClare Dalybecame friends and political allies, and worked together on many campaigns, including opposition to austerity and highlighting revelations of allegedGardamalpractices, including harassment, improper cancellation of penalty points and involvement of officers in the drug trade.[43][44][45]Wallace and Daly were partially active in protesting theGarda whistleblower scandal,which eventually caused the resignation of Minister for JusticeFrances Fitzgerald,although she was later cleared of wrongdoing by theCharleton Tribunal.

In December 2015, Wallace and independent TDs Clare Daly andMaureen O'Sullivaneach put forward offers of a €5,000 surety for a man charged with membership of an unlawful organisation and with possession of a component part of an improvised explosive device.[46]

At the2016 general election,Wallace stood as anIndependents 4 Changecandidate and was re-elected, finishing third on the first-preference count with 7,917 votes.[47][48]

Political views during his time in the Dáil[edit]

Wallace has stated that the welfare of women working inprostitutionwould be improved if the trade were not pushed underground.[49]

He said he was "a bit flabbergasted" by the introduction of thehousehold chargebrought in as part of the2012 Budget,and by how that party had changed from when it was in opposition.[50]On 15 December 2011, he helped to launch a nationwide campaign against the household charge.[51]

Wallace was criticised and accused of "defending terrorism" byJoan Burton,then Ireland'sTánaiste,[52]for comments he made during theNovember 2015 Paris attacks.While the attacks were unfolding, Wallace posted on his Twitter account "So terrible for the victims, but when isFrancegoing to stop its role in the militarisation of the planet? ", sparking an angry reaction on social media.[53]

In 2017, Wallace called on Ireland to join theBoycott, Divestment, Sanctionsmovement against Israel and "condemn the illegal expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands as well as the ongoing human rights abuses against Palestinians".[54]Wallace proposed an "official boycott of goods from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories".[55]

Arrest at Shannon Airport[edit]

In July 2014, Wallace and Daly were arrested atShannon Airportwhile trying to board a US military aircraft. Wallace said the airport was being used as a US military base and that the government should be searching the planes to ensure that they are not involved in military operations or that there are no weapons on board.[56][57]Wallace was fined €2,000 for being in an airside area without permission, and chose not to pay. He was sentenced to 30 days in prison in default, and in December 2015 was arrested for non-payment of the fine.[58]Joan Burtonaccused Wallace of "putting Irish people at risk" of terrorism by repeatedly linkingShannon Airport to US-led wars"simply for the sake of some media coverage".[59]

Member of the European Parliament[edit]

At the2019 European Parliament election,he was elected as an MEP for theSouthconstituency,[60]receiving 81,780 (11.4%) offirst-preference votes.[61]

Mick Wallace has been criticised for supporting Russia, Belarus, China, Syria, Venezuela and Ecuador during his period as an MEP.[4][62]In November 2020, Wallace referred toBelarusian oppositionpresidential candidateSvetlana Tikhanovskayaas a "pawn of western neoliberalism".[63]In February 2021, Wallace was reprimanded for using a swear word during a session of the European Parliament, when he calledVenezuelan oppositionleaderJuan Guaidóan "unelected gobshite".[64]In September 2022, he was one of 19 MEPs who voted against condemningNicaraguafor the arrest ofRolando Álvarez.[65][66]

During theCOVID-19 pandemic,Wallace opposedvaccination passports.He has said "I’m notanti-vaxbut we're going down a dangerous path with Covid pass "and expressed concerns about civil liberties.[67]Both Wallace and Daly have refused to present vaccination certs upon entering the European Parliament, resulting in them being reprimanded.[68]

In November 2022, Wallace criticisedprotests in Iranfollowing thedeath of Mahsa Amini,accusing some protestors of violence and destruction and saying it "would not be tolerated anywhere".[69][70]

In a speech at the European parliament, Wallace criticised the EU for failing to adequately investigate theblowing up of the Nord Stream pipeline.He referred toSeymour Hersh'sconclusion that US navy divers blew up the pipeline and said "has the EU become so subservient, to US empire that yous can’t even ask them if they did it? Yous are a fucking joke".[71][72]

In the2024 European Parliament elections,Wallace and Daly were endorsed by actressSusan Sarandon,who said they were "speaking up loud and clear for international solidarity" and "There are very few voices for peace in places of power and we need them more than ever now, especially with what’s going on in Gaza".[73]Wallace received 52,803 (7.7%) first preference votes but lost his seat.[74]Clare Daly also lost her seat in the election.[75][76]

Visit to Iraqi militia group[edit]

Clare Daly (left, in sunglasses) and Mick Wallace during their trip to Iraq in April 2021.

In April 2021, Wallace andClare Dalywere called "embarrassments to Ireland" by Fianna Fáil'sMalcolm Byrneafter the two MEPs travelled toIraqand visited the headquarters of thePopular Mobilization Forces(Hashed al-Shaabi), an Iraqi militia supported byIran.Byrne criticised them for meeting with a group that supports the oppression of gay people and accused them of being used as propaganda by the militia. Footage of their visit was used in a promotional video by the Popular Mobilization Forces.[77][78]

Views on Syria[edit]

Wallace challenged the director general of theOrganisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW),Fernando Arias,in the European Parliament in April 2021. He accused the OPCW of falsely blaming the government ofBashar al-Assadfor the 2018Douma chemical attack.He suggested that theWhite Helmetsmay havestagedthe attack and alleged they were "paid for by the US and UK to carry out regime change in Syria".[79]Fianna Fáil’sBarry Andrewscalled Wallace's accusation against the White Helmets a conspiracy theory and disinformation.[80]French MEPNathalie Loiseaudescribed Wallace's comments as "fake news" and apologised on his behalf to NGO groups in Syria.[81][79]

In a European Parliament hearing in 2021, Wallace argued that Bashar Al-Assad had defended Syria from "genocidal extremists" and asked which of the policies of Assad or the United States were "more authoritarian".[81]

Wallace has opposedsanctions against the Syrian government[82]and was one of eight MEPs to put forward a motion to remove sanctions against the Syrian government.[83]

Views on Russia and Ukraine[edit]

Wallace has consistently voted against resolutions critical ofVladimir Putin's Russia.[84]He describes himself as fighting against "anti-Russian" rhetoric.[85]According toThe Irish Times,Wallace and Daly's positions on Putin's Russia have caused tensions with other members ofThe Left in the European Parliament.Wallace tabled amendments on behalf of the Left, seeking to "water down" resolutions against Russia. He sought to remove a statement that a Dutch-led investigation found that Russia's military supplied the missile which downedMalaysia Airlines Flight 17,killing 298 civilians.[81][4]

In January 2022, Wallace described theRussian military buildup on Ukraine's borderas being "clearly defensive" in reaction toNATO.[86]He called for NATO to be abolished, alleging that it wanted a war and saying "it has nothing good to offer anyone that prefers peace".[85]Amid fears of an invasion, Wallace was one of 52 MEPs who voted against offering Ukraine €1.2 billion in loans (compared to 598 MEPs in favour).[85]

In March 2022, Wallace was one of 13 MEPs who voted against a European Parliament resolution condemning theRussian invasion of Ukraine.[87]Wallace was criticised by constituents and others in Ireland,[88]as well as the EUrapporteuron Ukraine,Michael Gahler,who said "Maybe he is under instruction from Moscow or the embassy there".[89]Wallace explained that he opposed Russia's invasion, but did not back the resolution because it called for sending "defensive weapons to Ukraine", adding "the way forward is not putting in more arms... the way forward is negotiation" with Russia.[90]He said there must be acceptance of Russia's "genuine security concerns" about the idea ofUkraine joining NATO.[88]Russian state media played clips of him criticising the EU response to the invasion.[13]

Wallace has opposed broadsanctions against Russiafor its invasion of Ukraine.[91]He voted against a resolution to declare Russia astate sponsor of terrorism,[92]and voted against establishing a tribunal to investigate the Russian leadership forcrimes of aggressionagainst Ukraine.[93]

Several months into the Russian invasion, Wallace accused the EU and the governing parties in Ireland (Fianna FáilandFine Gael) of "promoting" and "loving" the war in Ukraine.[94]He alleged it was "being fought on behalf of NATO" and said that EU states had been "bullied" into "taking sides" against Russia.[94]He rejected claims that he supports Vladimir Putin, saying "he stolethe electionlast year from theCommunists,who I'd have liked to have seen winning it ".[94]

In a 2024 interview, Wallace described the invasion of Ukraine as a "US NATO proxy war" and said Russia were provoked into invading. Responding to positive media coverage his views have received in Russia, he said "It's hardly our fault if we're getting favourable press. Most people don't give out about favourable press. A lot of countries feel that we're calling things as they are."[95]

Support for convicted and alleged Russian spies[edit]

In November 2021, Wallace and Daly travelled toLithuaniato supportAlgirdas Paleckis,a politician found guilty of spying for Russia.[13]A trial found that Russia'sFederal Security Servicepaid off his mortgage in return for information.[13]Wallace said that Paleckis was "accused of being a Russian spy because he expressed an opinion that the State didn't like" and that the conviction was "authoritarianism".[96]In May 2022, Paleckis's conviction for spying was upheld.[97]

While in Lithuania, Wallace and Daly protested together withLatvianMEPTatjana Ždanoka.[13]Eight days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the three MEPs again protested together in the European Parliament wearing shirts bearing the Russian slogan "Stop killing Donbass children".[13]In January 2024, Ždanoka was also accused of spying for Russian intelligence agencies in a joint investigation by Russian, Latvian, Estonian and Swedish journalists.[98][99]

Views on China[edit]

Wallace has said he has "a lot of respect" for China, saying they have a "much more healthy state involvement in the organisation of society".[95]In response to concerns abouthuman rights abuses in the country,he responded "But sure 25% of the world's prisoners are in jail in America. Does anyone ever talk about it?", adding "There's human rights problems everywhere. There's human rights issues in Ireland."[95]

Chinese state-owned news agencyChina Dailysaid that Wallace's tweets and speeches in the European Parliament challenging "anti-China rhetoric" have been widely reported by Chinese news outlets and social media.[100]In May 2021, Wallace asked in the European Parliament: "Why are we choosing an aggressive position with China? Why are we not choosing co-operation instead of aggression? Why are we not respecting the principle of state sovereignty and non-interference? We should be working for peace with China, it’s in our interests".Fine GaelTeachta Dála(TD)Neale Richmondcriticised his comments and questioned why Wallace was "lionizing China, Russia, Belarus, Syria".[62]

In July 2021, Wallace said that reports of one millionUighursbeingdetained in Chinese internment campswere "grossly exaggerated". He criticised what he saw as "anti-Chinese rhetoric" in the European Parliament and Irish media. Wallace said China "takes better care of its people" than the European Union in an interview with Chinese state-run newspaperGlobal Times,[101]and said theChinese Communist Party"deserved a lot of credit" for "helping so many hundreds of millions in China to move out of poverty".[102]

In October 2021, Wallace posted a video on social media in which he said there was "never any solid evidence" ofUighur mass detention camps.In the same video, Wallace said thatTaiwanis "part of China"and" is recognised as such by the United Nations ".[103]Wallace's video was afterwards broadcast on Chinese state media, prompting the government of Taiwan to give an official rebuke of his claims.[103]A spokesperson for the Taiwanese government in Dublin stated that the United Nations did "not authorise the People’s Republic of China to represent Taiwan in the United Nations, let alone claim that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan is a vibrant democracy that is appreciated and supported by like-minded partners around the world. The right to democraticself-determinationshould not and will not be forfeited ".[103]Wallace's comments also prompted other Irish politicians to speak out against him. Fianna Fáil TDJohn McGuinnesssaid he was "flabbergasted" upon seeing Wallace's video and called on him to remove it.[103]Fine Gael SenatorJerry Buttimercalled on Wallace to speak to Taiwanese groups in Ireland and to respect the right of "democratic self-determination".[104]

A 2022 report byThe Irish Timessaid that, since January 2021, Wallace had been featured in more Chinese-language news articles than any other Irish person aside from Daly.[13]As a result of his fame in China, the Chinese have nicknamed him the "Golden Lion King"[note 1]and "Silver Lion King".[note 2][105][106]

Venezuelan and Ecuadorian election monitoring[edit]

In June 2021, Wallace and Daly were among the MEPs censured by the European Parliament's Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, for acting as unofficialelection monitorsin the December2020 Venezuelan parliamentary electionand April2021 Ecuadorian general election,without a mandate or permission from the EU. Official EU overseas trips had also been suspended because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[107]Wallace and Daly were barred until the end of 2021 from making any election missions. They were warned that any further such action may result in their ejection from the European Parliament. While MEPs can make personal trips overseas, according toThe Irish Times,Wallace and Daly made no mention in their tweets that they were acting in an unofficial capacity.[107]

Wallace and Daly issued a joint statement that read: "This is a political stunt by the centre right parties in the European Parliament, and we will be challenging it. These were not ‘fake’ election-observation trips. We made abundantly clear by public announcement at the time that we were not visiting Ecuador or Venezuela with an official election observation mandate". They continued: "Although we regret that the Ecuadorian people did not chooseAndrés Arauzas their president, we found the elections to be conducted fairly and impartially ".[107]Ecuadorian election officials complained that Wallace could not be an objective election observer while openly supporting one side.[4][verification needed]

Financial and legal issues[edit]

Bankruptcy[edit]

Wallace's Taverna in Wallace's Italian Quarter Development

In May 2011, Wallace said that he would face personal financial ruin and the possible loss of hisDáilseat, if banks were to chase him for personal guarantees he had given them. According to Wallace, his company had passed rents it collected directly toACCBanksince 2008. In a statement Wallace said: "I've tried to build well — we were a very successful company for a long time. We weren't bad, we weren't doing crazy things. We've made money every year for 20 years, employed a lot of people, paid our taxes. But the financial crisis arrived, completely undermined the value of our assets and we're no longer in a great place." He toldRTÉ,"If a bank tries to make me bankrupt it has more to do with 'badness' than economics."[108][109]On 10 October 2011, the Commercial Court ordered Wallace to repay more than €19 million owed to ACCBank.[110][111]He said he did not have the money.[112][113][114]

On 30 January 2016, it was ruled that Wallace would have to pay €2m to USvulture fundCerberus.[115]Wallace was finally declared bankrupt on 19 December 2016 with debts of over €30 million.[116]

Withholding of employees pension contributions[edit]

In 2011, Wallace pleaded guilty to five charges of withholding his employees' pension contributions in a case taken by the Irish Pensions Board. Wallace said the case had arisen as a result of a "discrepancy" and that he had paid all of the money due.[117]

Under-payment of tax[edit]

In June 2012,The Irish Timesreported that Wallace had made a seven-figure settlement with theRevenue Commissionersfor under-payment ofVAT.The sum related to his company MJ Wallace Ltd. Wallace admitted in the course of the article that he had knowingly made false declarations to the authorities. Under the agreement with Revenue, MJ Wallace Ltd was found to have under-declared VAT liabilities on returns by €1,418,894. Interest came to €289,146 and penalties amounting to €425,668 were imposed, giving a total of €2,133,708.[118]Ceann ComhairleSeán Barrettwrote to theOireachtasCommittee on Members' Interests Chairman, asking him to convene an inquiry.[119]

Hitman comments[edit]

When Wallace stated onThe Marian Finucane Showin October 2012 that back in 2005 he once "threatened to hire a hitman to recover an IR£20,000 debt from a building firm", a complaint was filed withGardaíby a former Navy officer who runs a public information website.[120]Later the same month,Finian McGrathresigned as chairman of theDáil technical groupwhen Wallace returned to the loose alliance against the wishes of many of its members.[121]

Alan Shatter data breach controversy[edit]

During a debate between the thenMinister for Justice and Equality,Alan Shatterand Wallace on RTÉ television in May 2013, Shatter divulged that Wallace had been cautioned byGardaífor using his phone while driving. Shatter was later found to have brokenGeneral Data Protection Regulationlaws by revealing personal information about Wallace.[122][123][124]Shatter said he obtained the information from thenGarda Commissioner,Martin Callinan.[125]Callinan and Shatter both lost their jobs soon afterward, Shatter partially for this breach of the law among other controversies.[126]Wallace disagreed with the appointment of Callinan's successorNóirín O'Sullivan,citing her previous role as deputy commissioner to Callinan.[127]

Undeclared income as an MEP[edit]

In February 2023 Wallace claimed on social media that he had "three wine bars in Dublin". This aroused alarm from Wallace's European parliamentary group, as no such assets were listed on his mandatory declaration of financial interests. After the chair of his parliamentary group called any omission from the declaration "unacceptable” and not “worthy of our political group”, Wallace amended his declaration to state that he is an "advisor" to the three wine bars, and receives up to €500 a month in income for this role.[128][129]

RTÉ lawsuit[edit]

In April 2022, Daly and Wallace sued fordefamationagainstRTÉ,the Republic of Ireland's national broadcasting service, for undisclosed reasons.[130]Their lawsuit was flagged as a potential threat topress freedomby theIndex on CensorshipandInternational Press Institute.The organizations alerted theCouncil of Europe,filing it under "harassment and intimidation of journalists". A statement from the Index on Censorship said "we believe that they are characteristic ofstrategic lawsuits against public participation– also known as SLAPPs ".[131]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Chinese:Kim Mao Sư Vương;pinyin:Jīn máo shī wáng
  2. ^Chinese:Bạc mao Sư Vương;pinyin:Yín máo shī wáng

References[edit]

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