To think this would not be acceptable in any other part of the United Kingdom?

[JanineStHubbins]

Except for Northern Ireland.

I'm astonished that this hasn't been picked up more by the mainstream British media.

Local 'pastor' James McConnell preached a sermon 2 weeks ago in which he said Islam was spawned in hell, Satanic, evil. He said that he wouldn't trust any Muslim in the UK. An he also described Enoch Powell as 'a prophet' and said he agreed with him.

So far, hate speech, as far as I'm concerned. It's what happened next that really bothers me.

McConnell was defended by members of the DUP (largest unionist party). And the First Minister Peter Robinson said yesterday that while he wouldn't trust Muslims on spiritual matters or advocates of sharia law, he would trust Muslims to 'go down to the shops' for him. So patronising, so derogatory, so paternalistic.

He said today that he would be 'hurt' if Muslims felt he had shown them disrespect.

What the hell? Why is this acceptable in the United Kingdom? The DUP are the fourth largest party in the Westminster parliament.

AIBU to think that any other British politician would have to resign for such comments?

its the irish for you they have hot blood if you leave them alone and let them calm down it blows away like a storm (hopefully) don't ever EVER call them on it give them air time or any other attention other than a nod as you leave next week it will be someone else

this is according to the irish who visited my home he said wherever possible ignore the irish or buy a guinness lots and lots of guinness and inched his empty glass along the bar at us

honestly just ignore the vitriol its less than the hate cleric got away with and a lot less than what was shouted at me before now

Deaky are you pissed?

Nice generalisation, deaky . Not that you even got the country right.

That tabernacle are no better than a cult really. Was there not something a few years about them seeking donations off vulnerable people? This may have been just North Belfast Gossip, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

It's in the proddy areas where the Eastern Europeans and non-white residents are getting hassle these days, makes me sick. These are people moving in with no political affliation, and what do they do? Burn them out! Nice one, guys. It might be that as Nationalist areas/ideals have expanded and are increasingly represented in government and culture, Loyalists are becoming more insular. Tits.

I was thinking about Iris the other day- that whole situation was nuts, think she went to rehab or a mental health facility for a good while earlier. Lots of rumours going about regarding that marriage as well. Almost start to feel sorry for her, then you remember she likened gay people to paedophiles. Oh the irony.

Er, deaky, you do realise that this NOT an Irish issue yes? Because the people involved are British (and god help anyone who forgets that....)?

Oh and as an actual Irish person can I ask that you do fuck off with your racist stereotypes. Thank you.

So, Deaky, you've once met a drunk Irish man.

There has long been a strand of Loyalism that is extremely racist, xenophobic if we're being kind. It is after all essentially belligerent nationalism. Groups like the UDA and Johnnie Adair had links with the extreme right in England and Germany.

It looks as though the more mainstream Unionists have their own version, all underpinned by non-Conformist preachers of a pretty unpalatable, small-minded kind.

Have been following this story... There's just no words, are there? No politician elsewhere would have got away with those comments, they would have had to resign. It's all just a symptom of the greater issues in NI, the prejudices that are so ingrained people can't even see them most of the time. Politicians (and just about everyone else) get away with spouting vitriol against the "other side" on a regular basis, it's no surprise they don't realise they can't throw in some nice casual racism.

Gutted by Anna Lo's comments today, the video interview on the BBC was very hard to watch. I have a very high opinion of her, and will basly miss her if she does retire.

But why is it okay in Northern Ireland and not elsewhere in the UK? Could you imagine the uproar if Alex Salmond or Carwyn Jones said these things. Surely there are enough right minded non racists to say actually we don't want a bigot for a First Minister and do something about it.

It's not really reported here so that's how they get away with it. A bit like bombs in Belfast were barely reported, whereas bombs on the UK mainland were headline news.

I agree with you it's shocking though. Although Colin Brewer- the Cornish councillor who said disabled babies should be put down was re-elected & it took a lot of campaigning to get him to resign. So it's not just northern Ireland where politicians get away with appalling comments.

This is not a local councillor though, we're talking the First Minister here.

Oh I agree, my point was Colin Brewer was pretty immovable in the face of extreme outrage. In that case the outrage was initially confined to disability groups - it was only when it hit mainstream media that he went.

You need the same to happen here. If this story was reported as a front page headline in the mainstream UK press he would go.

I honestly wonder would he saintly - I would hope so, but I genuinely don't know. I don't know that the DUP would force him out the way another party would feel they had to. I hope I'm wrong in that.

Hm yes I do know what you mean.

They wouldn't...he's been in trouble before but it seems he is unmoveable