The following is an extract from an interview with Robbie Butler about the ridicule and criticism he received from DUP MLAs after accepting an invitation to a civic reception for Pope Francis. Mr Butler declined to reveal the names of those responsible but The Irish News learned their identities from a separate source and published their names in the public interest:
John Manley: A DUP MLA in the corridors of Stormont.. are we alright to give it that… context?
Robbie Butler: I would say an MLA, yes, an MLA in passing.
JM: That said you a) you wrong to go and that b) referred to the Pope as the anti-Christ?
RB: Yeah.
JM: Right OK I’m alright with that. And would I be right in saying there was another MLA who blessed himself?
RB: That’s correct.
JM: Right OK. That’s alright by me and obviously he blessed himself in a way as to ridicule?
RB: (He) perhaps thought it was funny
JM: Yeah.
RB: He perhaps thought it was funny. And I didn’t. I didn’t think it was funny. It was silly juvenile gesture, I would hope at worst.
JM: And do you want to explain to me why you don’t want to name those individuals?
RB: That’s just my character.
