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George Galloway says Belfast event will go ahead | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
George Galloway has said he will not withdraw from a speaking event in Belfast, despite it being opposed by unionist parties. | |
The Bradford West MP is due to speak at the council-operated Ulster Hall on Saturday 23 August. | The Bradford West MP is due to speak at the council-operated 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. |
Councillors have called for a review of the Belfast event. | |
Democratic Unionist (DUP) councillor Brian Kingston said: "I have written to Belfast City Council director of development expressing concern about a booking 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 is rejecting and demonising an entire country and its people." | |
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. |
Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers has also written to the council calling for a review. | |
'Hunchback of Notre Dame' | '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. | 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. | "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." | "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." |
On Tuesday, it emerged that a plaque erected to former Israeli president president Chaim Herzog at his north Belfast has had to be removed after a number of recent attacks. | |
Last month windows were smashed at a synagogue on north Belfast's Somerton Road. |