The leader of the DUP, Ian Paisley, has said line dancing is sinful.

Mr Paisley, who is also the leader of the fundamentalist Free Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland, issued a statement to be read to members of his congregation telling them it "clearly caters to the lust of the flesh".

It continued: "The church regards the country and western style of dance "as sinful as any other type of dancing, with its sexual gestures and touching".

Although Mr Paisley has not issued his remarks to voters at large a political opponent was quick to accuse him of being "out of line" and "out of touch" over them.





Cecil Walker, who is standing for the Ulster Unionist Party in North Belfast, said: "I was bemused when I heard the DUP leader's comments on line-dancing.

"What offends him so much about people enjoying themselves?"

The statement has angered many line dancers.

"I think it is quite ludicrous. Dancing is a different form of socialisation," Rose Kilmartin, a line dancing enthusiast from Belfast, told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme.

Gift from God

"What is the difference between dancing and singing or anything in which people enjoy themselves through music?"

Ms Kilmartin said that line dancers were exercising their gift from God and that line dancing did not fit a sensual description.



Sensual is not a word you would attribute to country music

Rose Kilmartin