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Peter Robinson backs Pastor James McConnell over Islamic remarks Peter Robinson under fire for backing Pastor James McConnell's Islamic remarks
(35 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's first minister has said he supports a pastor who made controversial comments about Muslims. NI's first minister has come under fire for defending a pastor who made controversial comments about Muslims.
James McConnell of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in north Belfast, described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", and said he did not trust Muslims.James McConnell of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in north Belfast, described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", and said he did not trust Muslims.
Peter Robinson said he would not trust Muslims who had been involved in terrorist activities or those devoted to Sharia law.Peter Robinson said he would not trust Muslims who had been involved in terrorist activities or those devoted to Sharia law.
But he said he would trust them to go to the shops for him. But he said he would "trust them to go to the shops" for him.
Police said they were investigating "a hate crime motive" after complaints about Mr McConnell's remarks.Police said they were investigating "a hate crime motive" after complaints about Mr McConnell's remarks.
Mr McConnell made his remarks on Sunday 18 May, telling his congregation "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain".Mr McConnell made his remarks on Sunday 18 May, telling his congregation "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain".
"Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell," he said."Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell," he said.
He said he agreed with the late MP Enoch Powell, whose 1968 "Rivers of Blood" speech criticised immigration.He said he agreed with the late MP Enoch Powell, whose 1968 "Rivers of Blood" speech criticised immigration.
"Enoch Powell was a prophet, he called it that blood would flow on the streets and it has happened," he said."Enoch Powell was a prophet, he called it that blood would flow on the streets and it has happened," he said.
Peter Robinson, Democratic Unionist Party first minister, who made the comments in an interview with the Irish News newspaper, has attended the evangelical church in the past.Peter Robinson, Democratic Unionist Party first minister, who made the comments in an interview with the Irish News newspaper, has attended the evangelical church in the past.
'False prophesy''False prophesy'
Mr Robinson said that Mr McConnell had been demonised because of his remarks, and that there "isn't an ounce of hatred in his (the pastor's) bones".Mr Robinson said that Mr McConnell had been demonised because of his remarks, and that there "isn't an ounce of hatred in his (the pastor's) bones".
Mr Robinson said that it was a duty of any preacher to denounce what he described as "false prophesy".Mr Robinson said that it was a duty of any preacher to denounce what he described as "false prophesy".
He went on to say that he would not trust Muslims either, particularly with regard to those who had been involved in violence, or those who are "fully devoted to Sharia law, I wouldn't trust them for spiritual guidance".He went on to say that he would not trust Muslims either, particularly with regard to those who had been involved in violence, or those who are "fully devoted to Sharia law, I wouldn't trust them for spiritual guidance".
However, Mr Robinson said he would trust Muslims to "go down to the shops' for him" or to with a number of other "day to day issues".However, Mr Robinson said he would trust Muslims to "go down to the shops' for him" or to with a number of other "day to day issues".
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness previously said the pastor's comments represented "hate-mongering".Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness previously said the pastor's comments represented "hate-mongering".
A prominent member of the Muslim community said he was angered by Mr Robinson's support of the pastor.A prominent member of the Muslim community said he was angered by Mr Robinson's support of the pastor.
Khalid Anis from the Islamic Society of Britain told BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show that he was shocked that a prominent politician in a position of leadership can speak "with such a double tongue".Khalid Anis from the Islamic Society of Britain told BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show that he was shocked that a prominent politician in a position of leadership can speak "with such a double tongue".
Mr Anis said that for a person in authority, like Mr Robinson, to make such remarks was "utterly disgraceful".Mr Anis said that for a person in authority, like Mr Robinson, to make such remarks was "utterly disgraceful".
Respect MP George Galloway said Peter Robinson's comments "render him unfit to be the first minister".
"It's simply incredible....that someone with a duty to try and represent and protect the interests of all the people living in the place he is presiding over should endorse these kind of words," he said.