Politics

Audio: Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams calls Owen Paterson 'a complete tube'

Gerry Adams called Owen Paterson 'a complete tube' in an interview on RTÉ radio 
Gerry Adams called Owen Paterson 'a complete tube' in an interview on RTÉ radio  Gerry Adams called Owen Paterson 'a complete tube' in an interview on RTÉ radio 

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called former secretary of state Owen Paterson "a complete tube" when asked about a suggestion by the British MP that Stormont politicians should have their wages stopped if they fail to produce a power-sharing agreement.

After being quizzed about the proposal by Cormac O’hEadhra, who was standing in for Sean O'Rourke on RTÉ Radio One's 'Today with Sean O' Rourke' show yesterday, Mr Adams replied: "First, let me say that Owen Paterson is a complete tube." 

Listen to Gerry Adams full interview here: The exchange where he calls Owen Paterson a tube happens at 12 minutes

The Louth TD then went on to describe how he had introduced Mr Paterson to relatives of people killed in the Ballymurphy massacre. He said that despite being moved by their account of what happened, Mr Paterson did nothing to help them while he acted as secretary of state from 2010 to 2012.

Mr Adams also said the British government are withholding money set aside for inquests.

Yesterday the Irish News ran a poll asking whether readers agreed with Mr Paterson's suggestion that MLAs' salaries should be withheld.