Northern Ireland

Sammy Wilson should apologise for 'crass' Bloody Sunday comments, says Sinn Féin MLA

Sinn Féin MLA, Pádraig Delargy branded Sammy Wilson's Bloody Sunday comments as crass and disrespectful.
Sinn Féin MLA, Pádraig Delargy branded Sammy Wilson's Bloody Sunday comments as crass and disrespectful. Sinn Féin MLA, Pádraig Delargy branded Sammy Wilson's Bloody Sunday comments as crass and disrespectful.

SINN Féin has called on DUP MP Sammy Wilson to apologise for his “crass” comments in the House of Commons as SDLP leader Colum Eastwood demanded the British army apologise for Bloody Sunday.

As Mr Eastwood was addressing the chamber, Mr Wilson can be heard shouting “shame”. The East Antrim MP can also be heard shouting that the British army was in Northern Ireland to defend people against “republicans”.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who was in the chamber at the time, has been urged to explain why one of his MPs believed it was right to “denigrate” the people of Derry as this weekend’s Bloody Sunday anniversary approaches.

SDLP councillor Brian Tierney said Mr Wilson’s comments were “outrageous”.

Now, Sinn Féin has called on Mr Wilson to apologise for his comments.

MLA Pádraig Delargy said the Bloody Sunday families have campaigned for 50 years for truth and justice.

"The heckling by Sammy Wilson is crass, insulting and disrespectful and in stark contrast to the courageous and dignified campaign led by the Bloody Sunday families. He should apologise," he said.

The DUP did not respond to a request by The Irish News for a comment.