Politicians Condemn Gregory Campbell's 'Bigoted attitude towards the Irish Language'

Following yesterdays comment by Gregory Campbell in Stormont local politicians have been quick to condemn the MLA. The Minister had said "curry my yoghurt can coca colyer"  obviously mocking go raibh maith agat Ceann Comhairile, a common line used by Irish speakers in the Assembly.

SDLP Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh and party spokesperson on the Irish Language Dominic Bradley MLA  described the remarks as disgraceful. Mr Bradley said “The main point which Mr Campbell succeeded in making was that of his own narrow and bigoted attitude towards the Irish Language.  We had something similar in the past from Sammy Wilson, but even Mr Wilson has grown up since then. Mr Campbell also needs to do some growing up.

"The SDLP will be raising the issue with the Office of the Speaker and will be demanding that Mr Campbell comes before the house to apologise for his disrespectful remarks."

Also commenting was Fews area Sinn Féin Councillor Barra Ó Muirí who said that he shares the anger and disappointment of all those who work hard to promote the huge benifits of endorsing and enhancing bilingualism.

He explained "Once again the DUP have gone out of its  way to insult the Irish language community and the hundreds of thousands of people who speak the language on a daily basis. Gregory Campbell’s ignorance and disregard for anything Irish was once again on full display as he strung together a line of English in a way to mock the Irish language.While this might be funny in Mr Campbell's  little closed world, it is hugely insulting to all of those who promote the huge benefits of endorsing and enhancing bilingualism in our society especially in our children" said Barra. 

The Councillor concluded by stating “If Gregory Campbell had have treated any other national language like this he would rightly have been accused of racism by all. Unfortunately this is nothing new from the DUP who have blocked the development on an Irish language act, and whose representatives have a long history of insults to the Irish speaking community".

Today Gregory Campbell got suspended from the Assembly for 24 hours!