DUP’s Gregory Campbell reported to Equality Commission for Assembly insult to Irish

SINN FÉIN has reported DUP MLA Gregory Campbell to the Equality Commission and Human Rights Commission for his public insult to the Irish language community made in the Assembly on Monday.

During Assembly questions to Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín on Monday, the East Derry DUP MLA made derogatory references to the Irish language by attempting to imitate Sinn Féin members’ use of Irish in the chamber.

When called to speak by Acting Assembly Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin, Gregory Campbell answered:

“Curry my yoghurt, can coco coalyer.”

In response, Carál Ní Chuilín accused Gregory Campbell of “pure ignorance”.

Sinn Féin's Irish language spokesperson Rosie McCorley has written to the Equality Commission and Human Rights Commission over the DUP man’s insult to the Irish language community.

“Gregory'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,” she said.

“If Gregory had treated any other national language like this he would have rightly been accused of racism from all sides of the house.

“Unfortunately, this is nothing new from the DUP who have blocked the development of an Irish Language Act, and whose representatives have a long history of insults to the Irish-speaking community.

“His disgraceful comments were bordering on racism and have no place in the tolerant and open society we are working to create.

“I am writing to the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission about Gregory Campbell's remarks.

“My party colleague, Carál Ní Chuilín, has also raised the matter with the Speaker’s Office in the Assembly.”

“Everyone has the right to speak Irish and thousands of people do on a daily basis, regardless of whether Gregory likes it or not.

Rosie McCorley added:

“No amount of politically-motivated posturing will deter Sinn Féin from promoting the Irish language and continuing to lobby for the rights of Irish speakers.”