Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
10-YEAR BAN FOR SEX ASSAULT TALENT AGENT Reilly laughs off online row over remark on ‘white’ UK Otterly fab day for sea aquarium
A COUNCILLOR has dismissed a Twitter storm he created by saying the EU and Tony Blair made the “ethnically white” UK multicultural.
Former UKIP member Henry Reilly said the message was a joke.
He wrote: “How after 80 billion years of evolution the British Isles was ethnically white but the Eu&tony Blair could make it multicultural in 20 years.”
Mr Reilly later told the Mirror: “I put it up for a laugh. I didn’t mean it seriously at all, but people are going nuts about it.
“I honestly didn’t think it would have got that sort of response. Normally two or three people would come back to me.”
The Independent for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said he did it because unionists get flak about creationism.
Mr Reilly, from Kilkeel and who believes in evolution, added the rest of the tweet was designed to get “lefties” going.
One person wrote: “Suggest you go to the Museum of London and educate yourself about Britain’s history of trade going back to the Romans.”
Another added: “Well done in getting everything wrong there.
“Maybe you should try taking classes in evolution, politics, history & genetics.” THE Duke of Kent gave his seal of approval as he reopened the Exploris Aquarium yesterday.
A plaque was unveiled as the royal carried out his duties at the Co Down attraction in Portaferry.
The centre has attracted around 150,000 visitors in the past 11 months despite facing tough times that saw it nearly closed down permanently.
Alliance councillor Lorna Mcalpine, who was there for the visit, said: “It’s fantastic to see Exploris thriving and is a real testament to the drive of local people who could see the potential for the facility.”