Gregory Campbell not backing down over controversial remarks about black people on ‘Songs of Praise’

Appearing on BBC Radio Ulster’s ‘Evening Extra’, Mr. Campbell said he does not need to apologise because what he said was “correct and accurate”.

It was while watching ‘Songs of Praise’ on Sunday January 31 that Mr. Campbell made the remarks on social media.

“Just watched BBC TV Songs of Praise which this week was Gospel Singer of the year semi final,” said Mr. Campbell.

“This I’m afraid was BBC at it’s BLM (Black Lives Matter) worst.

“There were five singers, all of them black. There were three judges all of them black and one presenter who incidentally was, yes black.

“The singers were all very good but can you imagine an all white line up with an all white jury and presented by a white person? No I can’t either,” he added.

There have been calls over the weekend and throughout Monday for Mr. Campbell to apologise for what he said but appearing on ‘Evening Extra’ he refused to do so.

“Why would I apologise for something that is correct and accurate? No, I don’t apologise. I’m an anti-racist – do I apologise for that? No. I stand with a black footballer who refuses to take the knee – would I apologise for that? No I don’t,” he told the BBC.

“I am a committed anti-racist and I am happy to explain that to the forum or anyone else and I have always been.

“I don’t need a contrived controversy to turn me into an anti-racist, I have always been so. Of all the things I have been criticised and lambasted for down through the years, it has never been on the basis of racism because people who know me know I am not, and the post proves that I am not.”

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