THE SDLP's John Dallat plans to lodge a complaint against the former DUP minister who called Pope Francis "the anti-Christ".
The East Derry MLA said Mervyn Storey's remarks to Ulster Unionist Robbie Butler were "scandalous" and "well below the expected standards" of an ex-Stormont minister.
As Mr Dallat prepared to lodge his complaint with the assembly's standards commissioner, Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan called for his fellow North Antrim MLA to apologise for his offensive outburst.
The Irish News revealed on Thursday that Mr Storey and his DUP colleague Christopher Stalford criticised and ridiculed Mr Butler for accepting an invitation from the taoiseach to a civic reception for Pope Francis.
Read More:
- What Robbie Butler saw – an extract of the interview about DUP MLAs' anti-Catholic behaviour
- Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says controversy around DUP MLAs' anti-Catholic behaviour is now a 'closed matter'
The former Stormont finance minister challenged the Lagan Valley MLA in the Stormont corridor, where he referred to the pontiff as "the anti-Christ", while Mr Stalford blessed himself as he passed Mr Butler, later describing the gesture as a "joke" between friends.
DUP leader Arlene Foster snubbed August's invitation to the Dublin Castle reception for the Pope and unlike other Stormont parties did not send a representative in her place.
Read More:
- DUP MLA who mocked UUP counterpart over Papal reception claims it was a 'joke'
- Analysis: DUP displays distinctly un-Christian values in its attitude to Robbie Butler
- Fr Sean McManus hits out after Ulster Unionist mocked by DUP for attending Pope 'antichrist' event
- Politicians voice support for Robbie Butler, mocked by DUP for attending Pope event
Today The Irish News has printed an extract of its interview with Mr Butler after he claimed Thursday's article revealing the names of the two DUP MLAs responsible for displaying anti-Catholic sentiment was "not a fair representation".
When the story highlighting the abuse he received was first published earlier this week with the names of those responsible withheld at the Ulster Unionist MLA's request, he raised no concerns about its content.
Last night Mr McGuigan said Mr Storey's remarks were "completely unacceptable" and displayed a "complete lack of respect for people with differing religious beliefs to his own".
"Mervyn himself needs to apologise for these bizarre remarks and the DUP need to clearly deal with the almost daily displays of disrespect from their elected representatives," the Sinn Féin representative said.
Mr Dallat said he felt compelled to complain about the two DUP MLAs after learning that their own party was failing to impose any sanctions.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson initially said he wanted to "get the full facts" about the incidents but said after speaking to Mr Butler, considered the matter "closed".
Read More:
- DUP MLAs mock Ulster Unionist Robbie Butler for attending papal visit and label Pope 'the antichrist'
- DUP owes Catholics an explanation for Pope Francis Dublin reception snub, says Alban Maginness
- DUP silent on Arlene Foster's attendance at papal events
Mr Dallat conceded that the role of the assembly standards commissioner currently lay vacant and would not be filled before devolution was restored. However, he said any newly-appointed standards watchdog would find his complaint "waiting in their in-tray".
"I previously respected Mervyn Storey but I found his behaviour in this instance scandalous and well below the expected standards of somebody who was part of a power-sharing executive," he said.
"Unless we MLAs set standards and abide by them how can we expect others to emulate us."
Read More:
- Arlene Foster 'regretfully' declines invitation to Pope's speech in Dublin Castle
- DUP's Christopher Stalford: Criticism of attending GAA match 'strange'
- Mervyn Storey criticised over Housing Executive appointments
