Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DUP MAN SAYS SORRY FOR KHAN ENEMY POST
Bradley apologies for his retweet in Hezbollah row
A DEMOCRATIC Unionist MLA said sorry yesterday for retweeting a post that described London Mayor Sadiq Khan as the “enemy within”.
It is understood Maurice Bradley has also deleted his Twitter account and given up using the social media site.
In a statement the East Londonderry politician said: “I removed earlier RT and apologise for it.
“I disagree with Sadiq Khan’s approach to Hezbollah – brutal terrorist apologists. The Mayor has a democratic mandate and his religion is irrelevant.”
In a statement the DUP said the post did not represent the party’s views.
A spokesman added: “Maurice has rightly removed the retweet. It did not represent the DUP’S views.
“This matter will be considered by the party officers.”
The controversial tweet read: “The enemy within: Muslim Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, refuses to support ban of Hezbollah terror group, says he must consider if it is the ‘right thing to do’.”
The row comes just days after Democratic Unionist MP Ian Paisley said sorry for retweeting a remark on Ramadan by rightwing commentator
Katie Hopkins. On Monday, the North Antrim politician apologised for retweeting her message, which read: “March 2018. London has a higher murder rate than New York... And Ramadan’s not yet begun.”
Mr Paisley subsequently apologised to his Twitter followers.
He said: “Mea culpa earlier today I glanced at a tweet & rt about £ of murders in London. Didn’t take cognisance of Ramadan ref.
“Once brought to my attention immediately deleted. Apologise profusely for offence caused.”
His apology was welcomed by Islamic leaders in Belfast but they said the timing of Mr Paisley’s retweet was “unfortunate” given anxiety within the community over an unrelated race hate campaign in England urging people
to target Muslims.
TWITTER YESTERDAY