DUP councillor is accused of racism in Newry remarks

DUP councillor is accused of racism in Newry remarks

9 March 2016

A DUP councillor will be reported to the police after being accused of racism during a council meeting in Downpatrick on Monday evening.

There was outrage in Newry Mourne and Down Council chamber when Councillor Glynn Hanna claimed many people passing through the courts in Newry were of Eastern European origin.

His comments were made in response to a motion by Alliance councillor Patrick Brown calling for the council to recognise the benefits, both economically and socially, of remaining in the European Union.

Mr Brown said it was important for the council to recognise the social benefits of multiculturalism and the free movement of people.

However, accusing Mr Brown of living in “dreamland”, Mr Hanna said it was his “entitled” view that the UK would be better out of European.

“A lot of people in the courts in Newry seem to be from an eastern European origin,” he said.

“We want peace and harmony in the country. We are getting there and I would like it to remain like that.”

Sinn Fein councillor Willie Clarke urged Mr Hanna to withdraw what he termed “inflammatory” comments and said councillors had to be mindful of what they say in a public arena.

He said such comments could have negative consequences in the community and through the media and could potentially lead to a hate crime.

“The comments about Eastern Europeans filling up the court room are disgusting. I think they are extremely dangerous,” he said.

“I could not believe my ears when I heard you say that about a whole race of people, be they Polish or Lithuanian.”

SDLP councillor Gary Stokes warned he would refer Mr Hanna’s remarks to the PSNI if they were not withdrawn.

“I am asking for a recording to be forwarded to the PSNI to see if that is an incitement to hatred,” he said.

Clarifying his words at the end of the debate, Mr Hanna said; “What I want to clarify is that undesirables are not welcome in this country from any part of the world. We should have some mechanism in place that that they be filtered out.”

Following the meeting, Mr Stokes said he still intended to refer the matter to the police for investigation.

“I am shocked that he would single out an ethnic group and suggest they are more likely to commit a crime without any statistical evidence,” he said. “I will ask the council to send a recording of the meeting to the police.”

Following Monday’s meeting, Mr Hanna said he was appalled at the reaction his remarks from Mr Stokes and Mr Clarke. 

“I did not target any religious group or nationality; I used a brord remark on East Europeans,” he said.

“I would like to make it clear, I would never under any circumstances incite hatred against any nationality group or individual.

“I am appalled at the degree of intolerance demonstrated by councillors Stokes and Clarke in their attempt to stifle council debate. 

“I was making a point that we, in the UK, need a system like Australia or Canada to control immigration that only allows people we need or would contribute to our country. I  hold no racist views on anyone, on their religious views or nationality.”