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Cllr Jimmy Carr faces racist claim in Scots accent row Cllr Jimmy Carr faces racist claim in Scots accent row
(about 1 hour later)
An SDLP councillor has sparked a row after saying he needs subtitles to understand a fellow Derry City councillor originally from Scotland. An SDLP councillor has issued an apology after saying he needs subtitles to understand a fellow Derry City councillor originally from Scotland.
Cllr Jimmy Carr made the comments on Facebook following after a council debate over funding to the Bogside Artists for the restoration of murals. Cllr Jimmy Carr made the comments on Facebook following a council debate over funding to the Bogside Artists for the restoration of murals.
He said he could not understand Sinn Fein's Eric McGinley when he spoke.He said he could not understand Sinn Fein's Eric McGinley when he spoke.
Sinn Fein have said the comments were racist and have called for Mr Carr's resignation. Sinn Fein said the comments were racist and have called for Mr Carr's resignation.
'Subtitles needed''Subtitles needed'
Earlier this week Sinn Fein voted in favour of awarding a grant of £45,000 to the Bogside Artists.Earlier this week Sinn Fein voted in favour of awarding a grant of £45,000 to the Bogside Artists.
But the SDLP had wanted a grant of £200,000 awarded to the group.But the SDLP had wanted a grant of £200,000 awarded to the group.
Mr Carr then posted a comment on the Bogside Artists Facebook page: "Jimmy Carr. The history of Derry according to Sinn Fein. And what makes it all the more sickening is the shinner who put forward the proposal to block is a Scotch man! Subtitles needed!"Mr Carr then posted a comment on the Bogside Artists Facebook page: "Jimmy Carr. The history of Derry according to Sinn Fein. And what makes it all the more sickening is the shinner who put forward the proposal to block is a Scotch man! Subtitles needed!"
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, Mr Carr said: "I only stated a matter of fact. I've been called a racist for saying this when all I said was I didn't understand a man. Two hours after an interview on BBC Radio Foyle in which he defended his stance, saying he was only stating "a matter of fact", Mr Carr issued an "unreserved" apology to Cllr McGinley.
He said: "I regret that I did not take the opportunity to retract the words I used in Facebook earlier.
"It is now clear to me that my attempt to justify or explain the context of the original sentiment has only served to reinforce people's misgivings."
During the radio interview Mr Carr said: "I've been called a racist for saying this when all I said was I didn't understand a man."
Mr Carr said some other members of his party could also not understand Mr McGinley but he was not prepared to name them.Mr Carr said some other members of his party could also not understand Mr McGinley but he was not prepared to name them.
"It was said in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way, just like I would say if I didn't understand somebody from Ballmogarty or somebody from Galliagh. "It was said in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way, just like I would say if I didn't understand somebody from Ballymagroarty or somebody from Galliagh.
"I'm entitled to voice my opinion, it's freedom of speech," he said."I'm entitled to voice my opinion, it's freedom of speech," he said.
"I stand by everything that I said and I will say it again." He said Sinn Fein had "got their knickers in a twist" and were using this to "distract from the real issue".
He said Sinn Fein have "got their knickers in a twist" and were using this to "distract from the real issue".
Mr Carr was asked by BBC Radio Foyle presenter Jenny Witt how he communicated with foreign-born constituents whose English may not be great.Mr Carr was asked by BBC Radio Foyle presenter Jenny Witt how he communicated with foreign-born constituents whose English may not be great.
He replied: "I've helped people from right across the world when they come to me. I can explain to them that sometimes I don't understand them and ask them to slow down when they are speaking."He replied: "I've helped people from right across the world when they come to me. I can explain to them that sometimes I don't understand them and ask them to slow down when they are speaking."
In his later apology Mr Carr said: "I respect the valuable contribution that many people who are originally from outside Derry make in so many ways to the life of this city.
"I should not have allowed any frustration in the council chamber or in the media to come over as prejudiced or insensitive in any way."
Speaking on behalf of Sinn Fein, Cllr Paul Fleming said the comments were "totally unacceptable".Speaking on behalf of Sinn Fein, Cllr Paul Fleming said the comments were "totally unacceptable".
"What message does this send out to Scotland in a year when Derry is trying to promote itself as the UK City of Culture," he said."What message does this send out to Scotland in a year when Derry is trying to promote itself as the UK City of Culture," he said.
"I find the comments racist and would call for Jimmy Carr to resign.""I find the comments racist and would call for Jimmy Carr to resign."
Mr McGinley has not yet commented on the issue.Mr McGinley has not yet commented on the issue.