The Irish Mail on Sunday

‘I’M EXPECTING A BACKLASH ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN THE SHOW GOES OUT THIS WEEK’

- LUKE

‘I had done a few interviews regarding populism and the growth of the movement on the continent and in America, so I think that’s why I was on. I was happy to do it – I see the clear responsibi­lity to do it right.

‘Bashir asked me if I thought I was single because I hold certain views. The problem with that is that he thinks he’s morally superior to me because he holds certain views and that I am unappealin­g to people because of the views I hold, not taking into account my personalit­y, how I engage with people, what kind of a person I am. Because I hold these views, I’m morally unsuitable, in his opinion.

‘I’m expecting a backlash against me on social media when the show goes out this week. I’m ‘irredeemab­le’. As Hillary Clinton would say, I’m ‘deplorable’. It’s going to be great. I’m going to really enjoy it because it’s going to expose those people for exactly what they are.

‘As for Bashir, I actually liked him – he’s a nice guy. I said it to him afterwards, I really enjoyed that conversati­on. There’s nothing I enjoy more than bouncing things off people.

‘I thought the format of Eating With The Enemy was a bit restrictiv­e, in terms of I was told a couple of times to stop talking about what I was talking about. I was focusing on a certain point too much. ‘There was some waiting around and you’re kind of on tenterhook­s beforehand. Now, though, I’m just really looking forward to all the hate that I get because it’s going to expose those people who don’t give a crap about regular people, and who actually will use the kind of minority card to advance themselves politicall­y.’

 ??  ?? STRONG VIEWS: Luke O’Connor enjoyed the conversati­on
STRONG VIEWS: Luke O’Connor enjoyed the conversati­on

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