‘Shameful!’ DUP MP savages BBC journalist over mocking of party leader’s Christian faith

DUP: Ian Paisley Jr slams BBC for coverage of Edwin Poots

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Northern Irish Unionist was invited onto BBC Newsnight to discuss the election of Mr Poots to the position of DUP leader following the resignation of Arlene Forster at the end of April. Mr Poots is a practising Christian and a member of the DUP’s traditional conservative wing, with some questioning how the new leader will win over younger more progressive voters. 

Mr Paisley Jr reacted angrily on BBC Newsnight when pressed on how his party leader’s faith may be received by the electorate.

He said: “I am reminded of the Frank Skinner line, you can be anything in Britain today except a Christian.

“I mean that seems to be the issue. The BBC want to lambast the man because he happens to be a man of faith.

“They want to take the mickey out of his religion.”

The MP continued: “You wouldn’t do that if he was any other religion in the United Kingdom.

“But you can take the mickey out of his Christian faith.

“You should be ashamed of yourselves!

“The BBC should be ashamed of themselves for starting from that position.”

Arlene Foster announces resignation as DUP leader

Mr Paisley Jr said: “Because I think people are entitled to have a view.

“Now he has never been in a position where you would try and force his religion down your throat or anyone else’s throat.

“He would not allow those things to get in the way of how he engages with policy and policymaking.”

He added: “He is entitled to be the leader and he is entitled to his faith.”

Brexit LIVE: EU powergrab begins as THOUSANDS flee City [LIVE]
Owen Jones skewers Labour as he urges Starmer to learn from Corbyn [UPDATE]
Labour must split from the hard left and Remainers or die [COMMENT]

Mr Poots won Friday’s leadership election by 19 votes to 17 beating fellow MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to the top job.

The 55-year-old is known to hold creationist views and believes the earth to be 6,000 years old despite the common belief among scientists that our planet was formed around 4.5 billion years ago.

The Prime Minister took to Twitter to congratulate Mr Poots on his victory.

Boris Johnson wrote: “People across the UK are best served when we work together, & I look forward to working with him, Brandon Lewis [Northern Ireland secretary] & the wider executive as we build back stronger for the people of Northern Ireland.”

Source: Read Full Article