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Anger over ex-soccer star's Ireland tweet

Unionists have reacted angrily after former England soccer star Stan Collymore called on the British to leave Ireland. The TV and radio pundit, right, sparked a wave of criticism after he posted on twitter: "Give Ireland back to the Irish. it's as British as Kenya." in another post he said: "Any country invades England, forces its will without mandate for 400 years, i take up arms, teach my kids, and their kids to do the same."

Unionist politicians have reacted to the comments with fury. Collymore, who played for several top flight clubs including Liverpool and Aston Villa, currently works as a pundit for talksport.

He is due to start working as a guest pundit on the BBC's Match of the Day 2 programme in the new season. the 43-year-old caused more controversy when he said that the British had "thieved" the Falkland islands.

UKiP European election candidate Henry Reilly said he was "disappointed" by the comments. "it shows an ignorance of the situation here," he said. "i would expect more from a man in his position."