POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland have warned DUP MP Gregory Campbell of a credible death threat against him, two days after he provoked the anger of some republicans with remarks about the Irish language.
It is understood that the PSNI informed the East Derry MLA and MP about the threat this morning.
While they wouldn’t comment on this specific threat, a police spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that: “if we receive information that an individual may need to review their security, we will take steps to inform them immediately.”
Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt condemned the death threat this morning in a statement, but repeated his criticism of Campbell’s “insult to the Irish language.”
Whatever people think of Gregory Campbell,…violence is not the way forward.
I call on those responsible for this death threat to make clear it is withdrawn. I also support the police in their efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
I also regret that Mr Campbell has chosen to repeat his insult to the Irish language…It is highly damaging to community relations.
Campbell, a former Northern Ireland Culture Minister, provoked condemnation and ridicule earlier this month when he spoke in pidgin Gaeilge, during a debate about the Irish language.
He addressed the Assembly chair by saying: “Curry my yoghurt, can coca coalyer,” poking fun at the Irish phrase “Go raibh maith agat, ceann comhairle,” which means “Thank you, chairman.”
The current NI Culture Minister, Sinn Féin’s Carál Ní Chuilín, condemned the remarks as “pure ignorance.”
On Saturday, however, the MP was met with applause and laughter at the DUP conference in Belfast, when he held up a pot of yoghurt, in reference to his earlier comments.
Campbell also said “on behalf our our party,” that he would treat Sinn Féin’s “wish list”, including an Irish Language Act, as “no more than toilet paper.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say