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George Galloway Ulster Hall event should be reviewed: DUP | George Galloway Ulster Hall event should be reviewed: DUP |
(35 minutes later) | |
A DUP councillor has said he has written a letter to Belfast City Council expressing his concern at an event featuring George Galloway later this month. | A DUP councillor has said he has written a letter to Belfast City Council expressing his concern at an event featuring George Galloway later this month. |
The Bradford West MP is due to speak at the Ulster Hall on Saturday 23 August. | The Bradford West MP is due to speak at the Ulster Hall on Saturday 23 August. |
West Yorkshire Police are investigating recent comments by him urging people in Bradford to reject all Israeli goods, services, academics and tourists. | West Yorkshire Police are investigating recent comments by him urging people in Bradford to reject all Israeli goods, services, academics and tourists. |
Councillor Brian Kingston said he wants the Belfast event to be reviewed. | Councillor Brian Kingston said he wants the Belfast event to be reviewed. |
"I have written to Belfast City Council director of development expressing concern about a booking accepted for George Galloway to speak at the Ulster Hall next week," he said. | "I have written to Belfast City Council director of development expressing concern about a booking accepted for George Galloway to speak at the Ulster Hall next week," he said. |
"We have asked for that booking to be reviewed, we think it is inappropriate at this time of tension in light of his highly controversial comments. | "We have asked for that booking to be reviewed, we think it is inappropriate at this time of tension in light of his highly controversial comments. |
"He goes far beyond calling for a boycott, he describes Israel as an illegal, barbarous, savage state." | "He goes far beyond calling for a boycott, he describes Israel as an illegal, barbarous, savage state." |
Mr Kingston said DUP councillors were also seeking advice from the police on the potential for incitement to hatred in relation to Mr Galloway's comments. | Mr Kingston said DUP councillors were also seeking advice from the police on the potential for incitement to hatred in relation to Mr Galloway's comments. |
'Hunchback of Notre Dame' | |
In response, Mr Galloway said: "To be lectured on good relations by the DUP is a bit like being told to sit up straight by the Hunchback of Notre Dame. | |
"It's a commercial contract with the Ulster Hall, signed, sealed and will be delivered, except on terms of very severe compensation. | |
"A great deal of money has already been spent, the tickets are going like hot cakes, so a great deal of income would be lost and that would be a very bad deal for the taxpayers in Belfast." |