Northern Ireland

Ukip would deport foreign doctors over parking fine, says David McNarry

David McNarry (right), pictured with Ukip party leader Nigel Farage, has said foreign doctors who receive parking fines should be deported
David McNarry (right), pictured with Ukip party leader Nigel Farage, has said foreign doctors who receive parking fines should be deported David McNarry (right), pictured with Ukip party leader Nigel Farage, has said foreign doctors who receive parking fines should be deported
By Ed Carty and Press Association

Ukip's leader in the north has said foreign doctors should be deported over a parking fine.

David McNarry said his party would bring in a draconian crackdown on criminality by kicking foreigners out of the country for traffic offences including speeding.

He also said: "We can't have Isis running our country."

Mr McNarry was challenged over the hard-line attitude in an interview on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show.

Presenter Stephen Nolan gave him the scenario of a Polish surgeon who overstays his half hour parking and gets a ticket.

The host said deporting a paediatrician could mean a child's life is lost.

"It's a crime," Mr McNarry said.

"He has broken the law."

Mr McNarry defended his stance: "It's called claiming back your country.

"Come on, you're being extremely emotional about the whole thing, and being nonsensical.

"First of all it has to be a crime that has been endorsed by the court. You've just gone overboard.

"I'm playing along with you Stephen because you're being... absolutely silly as usual. All this emotional claptrap that you come off with, really, people have had enough of it.

"We need our country back. We need to be running our own affairs. We are capable of doing it.

"We have a great opportunity in Northern Ireland, a marvellous opportunity in Northern Ireland to keep going as we have been going.

"Let's stand up for ourselves and give ourselves a break.

"It's a great time to be hospitable and nice to everyone else when you have your own house in order.

"There's too many gaps in our own house at the moment and people really are aware of that.

"We can't have Isis running our country."

After the interview, Mr McNarry clarified his position, saying Ukip's policy was that anyone convicted of a "serious offence" would be deported and his original comments were in response to a "silly line of questioning geared more toward entertainment then public information."

Mr McNarry is leading Ukip's campaign for 13 seats in the assembly elections in May although he is not standing himself.

The 67-year-old former Ulster Unionist has led the party in the north since 2013.