Northern Ireland

Ford says censure Sammy Wilson over 'Get the ethnics out' row

Sammy Wilson was recorded for a BBC Spotlight programme about the Brexit referendum
Sammy Wilson was recorded for a BBC Spotlight programme about the Brexit referendum Sammy Wilson was recorded for a BBC Spotlight programme about the Brexit referendum

DUP leader Arlene Foster last night came under pressure to censure Sammy Wilson after he was caught up in a racism row.

The East Antrim MP was recorded by the BBC appearing to agree with a member of the public who said "Get the ethnics out".

Mr Wilson has insisted his words were taken out of context and refused to apologise.

The snippet was recorded during the making of a Spotlight programme about the EU referendum in Carrickfergus.

Mr Wilson has said when he stated "You are absolutely right, you know" during the exchange, he was agreeing with the man's view on leaving Europe and not the the "ethnics out" comment he also made.

"Indeed anyone who knows me and the wide range of friends I have within the Chinese community and the Pakistani community will know that I do not in any way endorse views about 'getting the ethnics out'," Mr Wilson said.

"The reporter knew this because he questioned me on the issue of immigration though chose to ignore my responses to his questions."

A statement from the DUP described the 'Get the ethnics out' phrase as "disgraceful" and said the party disassociated itself "from the comment made by a member of the public".

However, Alliance leader David Ford said Mr Wilson should be disciplined by his party over comments which were "feeding the attitudes of people who throw bricks through windows".

"I think Sammy’s apparent agreement with an individual who expressed some pretty racist views is just unacceptable for a leading politician," he said.

Mr Ford said if a member of his party found themselves in a similar position there would decisive action.

"If there’s any element of leadership in a party, it takes a very hard and robust line – no matter who says it."

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said Mr Wilson should apologise for the "obvious offence" his remarks caused.

"It was stomach churning to hear such a senior politician offer such little compassion for fellow human beings," he said.

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone also said Mr Wilson needed to withdraw the comments and apologise.

"This is not the first time that a senior DUP figure has said something that has caused great offence to minority groups within our society," he said.

"Inflammatory comments such as these are totally unacceptable and Sammy is in danger of raising racial tensions."