Anna Lo 'considering leaving Northern Ireland' after Peter Robinson gives backing for 'Satanic Islam' sermon pastor
Comments come after First Minister Peter Robinson gave his support to a controversial preacher who denounced Islam
Alliance MLA Anna Lo has said she is considering leaving Northern Ireland following comments made by First Minister Peter Robinson in support of a controversial pastor who denounced Islam.
The politician - who represents South Belfast and just last week ran as a candidate in the European elections - said she was "angry" at the backing given to Pastor James McConnell.
A heated row was reignited on Wednesday evening, as Pastor McConnell once again appeared on the BBC's Nolan Show to defend comments he made that Islam was a "heathen" doctrine which was "spawned in hell".
Peter Robinson is now at the centre of a religious storm after he defended the firebrand evangelical preacher.
There had been for an investigation into Mr Robinson's comments, to determine whether the First Minister breached the rules of Stormont's Code of Conduct.
In response to the ongoing controversy, Anna Lo said she did not feel safe living in Northern Ireland.
The MLA said she would consider leaving the country "because of what might happen after what he said".
"I do not feel safe here and I know many people who feel the same," she told the Nolan Show.
"I love this country and I chose to live here.
"I am just appalled our political leaders are coming out and making such comments."
On Thursday morning Peter Robinson attempted to diffuse the ongoing row.
He said "no part of me would want to insult or cause distress to local Muslims".
But while he moved to assure members of the Islamic community, he continued his defence of Pastor McConnell's "right to freedom of speech".
Pastor McConnell had described the Islamic faith as "Satanic" during a sermon at his Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle church in Belfast earlier this month.
He also said while there may be "good Muslims" in Britain " I don't trust them".
Speaking to the Irish News this week, Peter Robinson said Pastor McConnell didn't have "an ounce of hatred in his bones".
His comments come after the Belfast Telegraph revealed that during a Sunday evening sermon the pastor said: "Islam is heathen, Islam is Satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in Hell."
The 75-year-old pastor's comments sparked a police probe.
Peter Robinson said he had visited the church on several occasions and he would attend in the future.
He said there appeared to be an attempt to demonise Mr McConnell.
"There isn't an ounce of hatred in his bones," he said.
"This is someone who preaches the gospel."
Mr Robinson's comments also prompted a fresh clash with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
In response, the Sinn Fein man and former IRA commander McGuinness, who has already accused the pastor of hate-mongering, told his partner in government to show some leadership.
Further reading
COMMENT RULES: Comments that are judged to be defamatory, abusive or in bad taste are not acceptable and contributors who consistently fall below certain criteria will be permanently blacklisted. The moderator will not enter into debate with individual contributors and the moderator’s decision is final. It is Belfast Telegraph policy to close comments on court cases, tribunals and active legal investigations. We may also close comments on articles which are being targeted for abuse. Problems with commenting? customercare@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment