A CITY centre bar has sparked a storm of controversy after publishing a flyer which describes the Irish as "terrorists" and uses offensive language about other ethnic minority groups.

Live music venue Bloc's leaflet claims to parody people who hold racist views but the gig guide has offended anti-racist campaigners who said it should be withdrawn.

Politicians have also rounded on Bloc's owners and urged Police Scotland to investigate.

The leaflet which features a doctored image of UKIP politician Nigel Farage is designed to promote bands due to play at the bar this month.

It uses the group's name or the nationality of the musicians to satirise right wing views.

An Irish band is described as "terrorists" and "paddies" involved in the Brighton hotel bombing in 1984, which was intended to kill then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The leaflet suggests musicians from Spain are "European scroungers flooding our shores" and "keeping British bands off British stages".

A jazz night is described as "disproportionately emphasising the importance of blacks in modern music" and suggests a group known as 'Black International' should be sent back to where they came from.

The leaflet talks up Kristian 'Varg' Vikernes, a notorious Norwegian metal musician who was found guilty of inciting racial hatred by publishing posts on the internet which attacked Muslims and Jews.

The gig guide also attempts to parody ethnic cleansing, child abuse, domestic violence, sexism and "bleeding heart liberals".

Glasgow Kelvin MSP Sandra White, who has long campaigned against racism, said: "It seems they are trying to shock. Well, I'm really shocked.

"My concern is that by printing this as a tongue-in-cheek parody they are normalising these really serious issues.

"I would have thought from what I have read that legislation covering racist material would come into play here. The person who wrote this should be reported to police."

Councillor Soryia Siddique, who represents Southside Central, one of the city's most ethnically diverse wards, also criticised the leaflet. She said: "I'm concerned that the people who produced this may think it is acceptable to stereotype and generalise people in a negative manner that can be offensive.

"Racism and hate in any circumstances can have a negative impact on people's lives. Anyone concerned about hate crime and racism should contact the police."

Anti-racism campaigners Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) demanded that Bloc's owners remove the leaflets from the bar.

A spokeswoman said: "We would advise Bloc bar to withdraw the leaflet. We understand the attempt to satirise those susceptible to bigoted views and negative stereotyping. It plays to some of the current language around immigrants, for example. However, even with that context, the stereotypes contained within may further homogenise and label groups rather than harmlessly poke fun at those who hold those views in the first place."

Shahid Khan, vice chairman of Glasgow-based human rights organisation Global Minorities Alliance, described the leaflet as "abusive".

He added: "This vitriolic material distributed in the heart of Glasgow can further fan the flames of disrespect and violence which is a cause of concern for any peaceful citizen and it should be dealt with according to the law."

The flyer was also criticised by student Roza Salih, one of the original Glasgow Girls who campaigned against discrimination.

She said: "This leaflet was difficult for me to read as it was very offensive and discriminatory in every way. I don't know how it is allowed to be distributed to the public."

Bloc's manager Chris Cusack, who wrote the gig guide, dismissed criticism by politicians as "indignant blustering".

"I would wager that most politicians shrink from their own reflection when the mirror of satire is turned upon them," he said.

Mr Cusack added: "That Bloc's leaflet has supposedly offended anti-racism groups is surprising and suggests that maybe rather than skim-reading rude words, they might revisit it and attempt to take in the over-riding sarcastic tone."

The Evening Times contacted UKIP and a spokesman said: "We are utterly unconcerned about the photograph. We laughed when we saw it.

"As for the words, we can't make head nor tail of what they are trying to do."