President of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams, has found himself facing criticism after audio has been released by journalist Rodney Edwards of the in which Mr Adams is heard to say “the point is to break these bastards” in relation to alleged bigotry in unionism. Mr Adams, speaking at an event in Enniskillen this evening, also spoke of using equality as a republican ‘trojan horse’ against other political ideologies.

He stated that “for a period there when I spent most of my working week in Dublin but when I was back in Belfast or at meetings like this it was universal people saying what’s the point. What’s the point? And they weren’t blaming Sinn Féin in fact they were making the point that Sinn Fein were doing our best. So, the point is, to actually break these bastards, that’s the point. And what’s going to break them is equality – Who could be afraid of equality?”

He continued, “who could be afraid of treating somebody the way you want to be treated? That is the trojan horse of the entire republican strategy – is to reach out to people on the basis of equality.”

The DUP was quick to respond to the news, with Arlene Foster stating that “respect is a two-way street”.

She continued,

“The hyperbole from republicans over recent days has been exposed as hypocrisy. Republicans use the Irish language as a weapon and tonight Gerry Adams confirms that they view equality as another weapon to attack unionists, or “these b******s” as he would term us. Will Sinn Fein now unleash a tirade of outrage against their Party President or will they once again stand behind him as they have over his denial of IRA membership, his involvement in Jean McConville’s murder or the cover-up of sexual abuse.”

Hear the audio here:

The Ulster Unionist Party also commented, with leader Mike Nesbitt saying that “the audio recording makes clear Gerry Adams thinks equality is nothing more than a tool to be used to manipulate people like me. That is shocking, to the point of nausea.”

“On a day I began by criticising the DUP’s Gregory Campbell for his gratuitous insult to those who cherish the Irish Language, I despair that I have to end it by challenging Gerry Adams to clarify why he believes equality is no more than a trick to lure unionists into some sort of trap.”

“I am emailing the social media link to his words to the US Envoy to the current talks, Senator Gary Hart, for his information.”

Mr Adams has since commented on social media:

I shudn’t call bigots,racists or homophobes bastards.Mea culpa.But equality IS the only way 2 break them. & education &end 2 sectarianism. — Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF)

However, as is to be expected, the reaction from politicians has not been subtle.

Gerry Adams strategy is to break the b***ards in Unionism. We remain unbroken & British! — Paul Givan MLA (@paulgivan)

Disgraceful opinions and language from Gerry Adams-suppose we shouldn’t expect anything better-NI public rightfully concerned — Tom Elliott (@telliott_UUP)

Badge of honour- Proud to be a Unionist B*****d — peter weir (@peterweirmla)

Gerry Adams showing his true, bigoted colours – — Ulster Unionist (@uuponline)

The level of what passes for political discourse in NI wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere else in these islands. It would be career-ending. — Naomi Long MP (@naomi_long)

Latest round of bickering certainly a good cover for the bad budget & dodgy rent arrangements. Unfit to govern — Claire Hanna (@ClaireHanna)

Jason Murdock | |