CONTROVERSIAL victims campaigner Willie Frazer has been accused of making "inaccurate and attention-seeking assertions" by Belfast International Airport in a row over souvenirs.

Mr Frazer said he will mount the first of "many" protests at Belfast International Airport over what he claims is its lack of "Northern Ireland" branded merchandise.

He threatened to demonstrate on the issue earlier this week, but said he would wait for a response from Belfast International Airport.

The Armagh man had vowed to mount the demonstration because he felt the airport had become filled with "a sea of green leprechauns and pro-Irish paraphernalia" - in reference to tourist merchandise which carries the Ireland logo.

"It is unfortunate but due to the lack of an adequate response from Belfast International Airport we have been left with no choice but to organise a protest which if necessary will be only one of many," Mr Frazer said.

Mr Frazer said that he did not ask that Irish products be removed, but that products "embellished with representation of Northern Ireland and its part within the United Kingdom" are made available.

"This is an equality issue, and many of those from Northern Ireland feel that the current range of products is attempting to remove our identity, glossing it over with an all things Irish approach which is not acceptable," he said.

"We have a proud culture and identity which should be promoted not shunned as Belfast International are currently doing."

A spokesman for the airport said the comments "amounted to an outrageous and outlandish slur".

"Our on-going Farmers' Market, run in conjunction with the Ulster Drink & Food Producers Group, features almost twenty local food, drink and craft producers," the spokesman said.

"This initiative, on its own, gives the lie to what are wild, inaccurate and attention-seeking assertions."