Ex-UUP Vice-Chair slams‘curry my yoghurt’ insult

Long-standing Londonderry unionist Terry Wright, who decided not to renew his UUP subscription in 2013 and later joined the NI Conservatives, wrote in a broader piece about what he sees as the chronic brinkmanship on display at the Assembly, that: “Instead of competence we are subjected to piecemeal decision-making and the smug and asinine antics of a well-paid double-jobbing MLA/MP indulging in calculated insults towards a rich language and literary culture. No money worries there.”

Mr Campbell remained defiant after having served a one day ban from speaking in the Assembly whilst he was in absentia in Westminster anyway.

He stated: “The sound and fury from those who use language as a political weapon doesn’t distract from the fact that they place their politically motivated language support above other vital public services which benefit everyone across our society.”

He forcefully queried the Sinn Féin practice of using Irish during each and every address to the Assembly.

He said: “I’m waiting for anyone in the Irish language lobby to give a satisfactory explanation as to why they start every contribution, every time, on every topic in Irish if it’s not political.”

The local DUP man also said he would not be apologising for the remarks.

The controversay was sparked after Mr Campbell addressed the Principal Deputy Speaker, Mitchel McLaughlin, with: “Curry my yogurt can coca coal yer,” an apparent parody of “Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle,” which is the Irish rendering of “Thank you, chair/speaker.”

On Monday Mr Campbell followed up his “curry my yoghurt” quip with a serious query.

He put it to the Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín: “The Minister has outlined what she is talking about in terms of the Irish language strategy and an Ulster-Scots strategy.

“Would it not be more inclusive to have a minority languages strategy so that nobody would feel left out?”

The Minister, who Mr Campbell was addressing through the Chair, responded angrily by stating: “If what you have just done is anything to go by, we do not need a strategy for pure ignorance.

“That was pure ignorance. Your conduct is not befitting a Member of this Chamber, and it does not warrant an answer.”

Mr Campbell has raised the hackles of Sinn Féin and Irish language enthusiasts before.

In 2007, in a debate over parity of funding for Irish and Ulster Scots, prompted by a question tabled by Mr Campbell, the Assembly was treated to the following interlude.

“Were I a satirist, “ said Mr Campbell. “I might begin my question to the Minister with the words, ‘Cora my Yogi Bear, a can coca colya.’

“However, setting humour to one side, the information provided by the Minister confirms what I established from the direct rule Minister last year - that the Irish language obtains 30 times more public funding than the Ulster-Scots cultural outlook.”

On Tuesday Sinn Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane asked her party colleage and Principal Deputy Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin to look at Standing Order 65 in relation to Mr Gregory Campbell’s comments, which she said were “disorderly and disrespectful, and disrespectful to a Minister in the House. He also made a slur on the Irish language.”

Mr McLaughlin replied: “If humour was in the Member’s intention, it failed miserably.

“Had it been a parody of any other language, there would rightly have been objections from many quarters.

“In practice, and in the Hansard report, his comments came across as ridiculous and clearly undermined the dignity of the House.

“I regret the fact that Mr Campbell is not present. In the absence of an apology, the Deputy Speakers and I are agreed that Mr Campbell will not be called to speak in the Chamber for the rest of the day. That ends the statement. Let us move on.”