Coronavirus: DUP urged to take action over councillor’s ‘disgusting’ comments

In a Facebook post, Ballymena representative John Carson said he had predicted that “our nation would be judged by God” once the new proposals became law.

“You reap what you sow and our nation is now reaping the judgment of God because of an immoral and corrupt government,” Mr Carson added.

He later said his message had been “totally misinterpreted”.

The row broke out as the Covid-19-related death toll in Northern Ireland rose by another six victims and now stands at 36.

Alliance and SDLP councillors on Ballymena council called on the DUP to suspend or remove the long-serving public representative.

Councillor Eugene Reid of the SDLP condemned what he branded a “disgusting slur,” while Alliance councillor Patricia O’Lynn described the comments as “disgusting and disgraceful”.

The Rainbow Project also said the DUP man’s views were “disgusting” and said: “We expect action from Arlene Foster on this immediately.”

Following the widespread backlash, Mr Carson posted another message on Facebook.

He said: “Folks yesterday afternoon I put a post on Facebook which was taken by some and totally misinterpreted, anyone who knows me will know that I would not intentionally set out to cause hurt or offence to anyone and if I did then for that I humbly apologise.

“However, I will never apologise for my Christian faith and will not be silenced by those that are opposed to the truth of God’s word.”

Ms O’Lynn said: “These are disgusting and disgraceful comments.

“His comments are not only homophobic and anti-women but make a mockery of all those people who have tragically died from Covid-19. If he does not apologise profusely, the DUP need to suspend councillor Carson.”

Mr Reid said: “I strongly condemn the disgusting slur by councillor John Carson. His comments linking the coronavirus to the LGBT+ movement are a complete disgrace.

“We are facing an unprecedented pandemic and people are pulling together to try and make it through it. These comments fly in the face of this co-operation and community spirit.

“The DUP should strongly consider suspending or removing Mr Carson. This kind of visceral hatred and homophobia has no place in Ballymena.”

The Rainbow Project said: “We expect action from Arlene Foster on this immediately.

“It is disgraceful but not at all surprising that a DUP elected member would try to blame LGBT people and our partners in the women’s movement for the coronavirus outbreak, just as they have blamed us for Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters in the past. We look forward to hearing, from Arlene Foster, a strong denunciation of this disgusting slur from her councillor John Carson and we expect disciplinary proceedings to be commenced against him immediately.”

During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the Economy Minister Diane Dodds described her party colleague’s comments as “a distraction”.

She said: “They do not reflect the views of the vast majority of people. They are a bit of a distraction from what we all need to do ... which is a very, very serious challenge of fighting against Covid-19.”

In relation to the potential disciplinary action against Mr Carson, Mrs Dodds added: “I’m presuming it will go to party officers – it certainly does not reflect the views of the DUP.”

As well as the six latest deaths in Northern Ireland, a further 85 people have tested positive bringing the total number of known cases to 774. Across the UK, the number of deaths has reached 2,921.

The deaths of another 13 patients in the Republic of Ireland were announced today, bringing the total number of fatalities there to 98.