DUP urged to suspend Alderman John Carson after he compared himself to Noah and blamed Coronavirus on abortion and same sex marriage

Alderman John Carson compared himself to Old Testament figure Noah and referred to the global pandemic as "the judgement of God".

"I said when abortion was legalised that our nation would be judged by God because of its departure from his word and the legalisation of the murder of the unborn child as well as same sex marriage.

"I was laughed at and mocked by some but as l said at the time they laughed at Noah until the rain started," wrote Alderman Carson in a public post on his personal Facebook profile on Tuesday.

"You reap what you sow and our nation is now reaping the judgement of God because of an immoral and corrupt government.

"It is time to repent and turn again to the God of our fathers," declared Alderman Carson.

Chaplain to the Lord Mayor of Belfast and Baptist Minister, Karen Sethuraman described Alderman Carson's comments as "not Godly".

"Dear John Carson (DUP), The Coronavirus.. 1. Is NOT sent from God. 2. Is NOT a result of Abortion laws and Same Sex Marriage. 2. Is an opportunity for you to seriously rethink your theology. Your advice is not ‘Godly’ - it is disturbing & BS. Blessings Rev Karen," she tweeted.

Lord John Kilclooney said: "Glad that DUP has disowned the comments by Colt [sic] John Carson of Ballymena.

Alliance Ballymena Councillor Patricia O'Lynn has called on the DUP to suspend Alderman Carson from the part.

“These are disgusting and disgraceful comments from councillor Carson, and I call on him to retract them and apologise immediately,” said Colr. O’Lynn.

“Leaving aside the ridiculousness of his statement, his comments are not only homophobic and anti-women but make a mockery of all those people who have tragically died from COVID-19 and complications relating to it.

“If he does not apologise profusely, the DUP need to suspend Colr. Carson to send a message these comments will not be tolerated, particularly at a time when people across the globe are coming together to showcase the best of humanity throughout this crisis.”

The DUP has distanced itself from Alderman Carson's social media post and have said it does not reflect the opinions of the party.

Mr. Carson's original post is no longer visible on Facebook.