Menu
04/06/2014
Peter Robinson Apologises Over Islam Comments
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson has made a public apology at the Belfast Islamic Centre, following comments he made when he defended local Pastor James McConnell, who said Islam was "heathen", "satanic" and "spawned in hell".
Mr Robinson said he would not trust Muslims for spiritual guidance but would trust them to "go down the shops" for him.
The DUP leader met Muslim community leaders at the Belfast Islamic Centre and apologised. Upon arrival at the Islamic Centre, he was greeted with a bunch of flowers.
Also present at the meeting was Muhammad Asif Khattak, one of the two Pakistani men attacked in north Belfast at weekend.
After the private meeting, Peter Robinson said: "This society does depend on people from ethnic and religious minorities for the day-to-day life of our province, I can't spend the rest of my life apologising, but what I can do is spend the rest of my life building the united community in Northern Ireland."
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the public apology was "the right thing to do" and added: "There is an onus on all of us in positions of political leadership to represent everyone in our society, that involves promoting equality, mutual respect and tolerance and standing up for all communities. Those are the key principles of the Good Friday Agreement."
Mr McGuinness also urged Pastor McConnell to "take lead from the first minister."
Alliance Party leader Anna Lo also welcomed the apology and said: "It offers us the opportunity to move forward, from words of reassurance to actions that will make a real difference to the lives of people from minority communities."
(CVS/IT)
Mr Robinson said he would not trust Muslims for spiritual guidance but would trust them to "go down the shops" for him.
The DUP leader met Muslim community leaders at the Belfast Islamic Centre and apologised. Upon arrival at the Islamic Centre, he was greeted with a bunch of flowers.
Also present at the meeting was Muhammad Asif Khattak, one of the two Pakistani men attacked in north Belfast at weekend.
After the private meeting, Peter Robinson said: "This society does depend on people from ethnic and religious minorities for the day-to-day life of our province, I can't spend the rest of my life apologising, but what I can do is spend the rest of my life building the united community in Northern Ireland."
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the public apology was "the right thing to do" and added: "There is an onus on all of us in positions of political leadership to represent everyone in our society, that involves promoting equality, mutual respect and tolerance and standing up for all communities. Those are the key principles of the Good Friday Agreement."
Mr McGuinness also urged Pastor McConnell to "take lead from the first minister."
Alliance Party leader Anna Lo also welcomed the apology and said: "It offers us the opportunity to move forward, from words of reassurance to actions that will make a real difference to the lives of people from minority communities."
(CVS/IT)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 April 2012
Rupert Murdoch Admits There Was A 'Cover-Up'
In the latest round of the Leveson inquiry, media mogul Rupert Murdoch has offered his most complete apology yet for his shortcomings in the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. Admitting the affair was a "serious blot on my reputation", he said he had been "misinformed and shielded" from what was going on at the paper.
Rupert Murdoch Admits There Was A 'Cover-Up'
In the latest round of the Leveson inquiry, media mogul Rupert Murdoch has offered his most complete apology yet for his shortcomings in the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. Admitting the affair was a "serious blot on my reputation", he said he had been "misinformed and shielded" from what was going on at the paper.
14 October 2009
DUP's Robinson 'Wants More' From No 10
Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has said that he is looking for further 'clarification' from Prime Minister Gordon Brown about funding for the devolution of responsibility for policing and justice. Sinn Féin have accepted the deal but the DUP wants to go further.
DUP's Robinson 'Wants More' From No 10
Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has said that he is looking for further 'clarification' from Prime Minister Gordon Brown about funding for the devolution of responsibility for policing and justice. Sinn Féin have accepted the deal but the DUP wants to go further.
10 July 2014
Sacked Minister Sends Apology Letters
Alun Davies has sent letters of apology to each of the Ams that he had tried to access private information on, despite clear rules against the action. Mr Davies was sacked as environment minister on Tuesday after it was revealed that he had asked officials to get him details on farm subsidy payments.
Sacked Minister Sends Apology Letters
Alun Davies has sent letters of apology to each of the Ams that he had tried to access private information on, despite clear rules against the action. Mr Davies was sacked as environment minister on Tuesday after it was revealed that he had asked officials to get him details on farm subsidy payments.
28 May 2014
Row Breaks Out After Robinson Backs Evangelical Pastor
A political row has broken out following Peter Robinson's backing of an evangelical pastor who is currently under police investigation for suspected hate crimes against the Muslim community. Pastor James McConnell made headlines this week after he told his congregation that Islam was a "heathen" doctrine and that it was "spawned in hell".
Row Breaks Out After Robinson Backs Evangelical Pastor
A political row has broken out following Peter Robinson's backing of an evangelical pastor who is currently under police investigation for suspected hate crimes against the Muslim community. Pastor James McConnell made headlines this week after he told his congregation that Islam was a "heathen" doctrine and that it was "spawned in hell".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
