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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| TUV sorry for 'leprechaun' slur | TUV sorry for 'leprechaun' slur |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Traditional Unionist Voice has apologised for its "childishness" after issuing a statement describing Irish as a "leprechaun language". | Traditional Unionist Voice has apologised for its "childishness" after issuing a statement describing Irish as a "leprechaun language". |
| The statement was issued under the name of TUV vice-chairman Keith Harbinson and condemned the Department of Education for "wasting" money on Irish. | The statement was issued under the name of TUV vice-chairman Keith Harbinson and condemned the Department of Education for "wasting" money on Irish. |
| However, after being distributed to the media, the press release on the party's website was changed to remove the term. | |
| A spokesman told the BBC the original words were a "childish mistake". | A spokesman told the BBC the original words were a "childish mistake". |
| The original press release was entitled "TUV Blast Leprechaun Language Waste" and distributed to media outlets. | The original press release was entitled "TUV Blast Leprechaun Language Waste" and distributed to media outlets. |
| However, that was changed to "TUV Blast Irish Language Waste" when the press release was hosted on the party's website. | |
| The change came to light following discussions about the original press release on the political weblog, Slugger O'Toole. | The change came to light following discussions about the original press release on the political weblog, Slugger O'Toole. |
| The BBC understands that Mr Harbinson, who stood as a candidate for the party in last year's by-election in Dromore, was displeased that the term "leprechaun language" was used. | The BBC understands that Mr Harbinson, who stood as a candidate for the party in last year's by-election in Dromore, was displeased that the term "leprechaun language" was used. |
| It had been added to the press release by an employee of the party. | It had been added to the press release by an employee of the party. |
| Mr Harbinson said he wished to apologise for any offence which was "unintended". | Mr Harbinson said he wished to apologise for any offence which was "unintended". |
| "We have apologised if we have hurt feelings," he said. | "We have apologised if we have hurt feelings," he said. |
| "Really the focus on the description of the Irish language is getting away from the substantive issue which is why the minister is spending £47,000 on Irish translation." | "Really the focus on the description of the Irish language is getting away from the substantive issue which is why the minister is spending £47,000 on Irish translation." |
| The term "leprechaun language" was famously used by the current Finance Minister Sammy Wilson during a debate at Belfast City Council in the 1980s. | The term "leprechaun language" was famously used by the current Finance Minister Sammy Wilson during a debate at Belfast City Council in the 1980s. |