Racism claim after DUP member ‘speaks Irish’ in Assembly

Gregory Campbell, a Democratic Unionist Party MP and MLA, has been accused of racism after mocking the Irish language in the Stormont Assembly.

During a debate about the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages, Mr Campbell attempted to phonetically state “go raibh maith agat, Ceann Comhairle” but instead said “curry my yoghurt can coca coalyer”.

Sinn Féin’s culture minister Carál Ní Chuilín, a fluent Irish speaker, responded furiously to Mr Campbell’s effort, describing it as “pure ignorance”.

“I think your conduct is not befitting members of this chamber. It doesn’t warrant an answer.”

Afterwards, Ms Ní Chuilín tweeted: “Went to the Speakers Office to complain about Gregory Campbell’s mockery of the Irish Language. I feel he’s a racist...”

Her party colleague Gerry Kelly MLA tweeted: "Everyone should watch the video of Gregory Campbell insulting the Irish language in the Assembly today as quintessential DUP bigotry..."

Sinn Féin MLA Rosie McCorley, who is the party’s Irish language spokeswoman, said: “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.

“While this might be funny in Gregory’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.”

An Irish Language Act for the North has been a bitterly divisive issue between Sinn Féin and the DUP.

Ms Ní Chuilín, who is responsible for overall promotion of the language, said she would bring in new legislation during the current Assembly term, but it has not happened yet.