ALLIANCE Party assembly election candidate Stewart Dickson has warned Gerry Adams that "the internet never truly forgets" following the Sinn Féin leader's controversial n-word tweet.
The offending tweet about the the film Django Unchained appeared on his profile late on Sunday night.
It said: "Watching Django Unchained - A Ballymurphy N*****!" Although the tweet was removed swiftly it provoked a furious reaction.
The Sinn Fein president said he had either been misunderstood by those who had taken offence at his use of the term, or they were misrepresenting the post.
"The fact is that nationalists in the north, including those from Ballymurphy, were treated in much the same way as African Americans until we stood up for ourselves," Gerry Adams said.
East Antrim Assembly candidate Stewart Dickson said Mr Adams' attempted explanation of his 'N-word' use further compounded the situation.
"For anyone to use such a term is unacceptable. But for the leader of a major political party to do so simply beggars belief. Mr Adams may have deleted his initial post but the internet never truly forgets," Mr Dickson said.
"Only a few weeks ago, Sinn Fein were comparing Mr Adams in all seriousness to civil rights hero Rosa Parks. This is proof, if it were ever needed, just how delusional that viewpoint is. The attempted explanation from him is not only historically inaccurate but deeply offensive to many.
The excuses just don't wash it away Gerry!!!
— Stewart Dickson 4MLA (@stewartcdickson) May 2, 2016
"Using terms with racist connotations in any form needs stamped out in our society. I call for Gerry Adams to hold his hands up, admit he was wrong to use such a loaded word and apologise."