Gregory Campbell says 'never' to an Irish Language Act.

Gregory Campbell says 'never' to an Irish Language Act.

Updated 9.10 pm

THE DUP POLITICIAN who mocked the Irish language earlier this month has said he would treat a proposed Irish Language Act “as no more than toilet paper”.

Gregory Campbell made the comments at the DUP conference in Belfast and was also applauded for holding up a pot of yoghurt to the delegates, a reference to earlier controversial comments.

Referencing what he termed a “republican wish list”, the MP and MLA accused Sinn Féin of “trying to lull unionists into agreeing to costly projects such as a Bill of Rights, and their long demanded Irish Language Act”.

His party will never support such a move, he said:

On behalf of our party let me say clearly, and slowly so that Caitríona Ruane and Gerry Adams understand, we will never agree to an Irish Language Act at Stormont and we will treat their entire wish list as no more than toilet paper. They better get used to it.

Campbell’s treatment of the Irish language has drawn criticism online with many suggesting in other jurisdictions he would be forced to resign.

There'd be outcry and calls for resignation if an English MP brazenly mocked Welsh speakers. Gregory Campbell is applauded for mocking Irish — PJ Floyd (@MrPJFloyd) November 22, 2014 Source: PJ Floyd /Twitter

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Campbell was handed a day long ban from speaking at Stormont earlier this month for mocking the Irish language and refusing to apologise.

The Derry representative had said, “Curry my yoghurt can coca coalyer,” clearly poking fun at the Irish phrase: ”Go raibh maith agat, Ceann Comhairle”.

The unrepentant Campbell made reference to the controversy as he took his place on the podium at the conference today, holding up a pot of yoghurt to party members and telling them he was planning on having curry for lunch.

Rousing reception for Gregory Campbell, who brings a pot of yoghurt to the lectern & says curry is for lunch #DUP14 pic.twitter.com/P5p9hMlwf0 — Sam McBride (@SJAMcBride) November 22, 2014 Source: Sam McBride /News Letter

(Pic: Sam McBride/News Letter)