Gregory Campbell censured for ridiculing Irish language

DUP Assembly member and MP Gregory Campbell has been censured again for "blatantly disrespectful" actions relating to the Irish language - this time by finding it one big yawn.

The Sinn Féin Speaker of the Assembly Mitchel McLauglin denied the East Derry MP speaking rights for today and tomorrow after he yawned loudly twice as Sinn Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane spoke in Irish on March 16th.

This is the second time in less than six months that Mr Campbell has sought to ridicule the Irish language and those speaking it. In November he was also barred from speaking for two days after he began an address with: “Curry my yogurt, a can coca coalyer.”

It was viewed as a semi-phonetic parody of how some Sinn Féin and SDLP members open their Assembly remarks by stating, “Go raibh maith agat, a Ceann Comhairle.”

His subsequent two-day Assembly speaking ban had no effect on Mr Campbell at the time as he was in London for business at Westminster.

Those comments generated great publicity for Mr Campbell, and while much of it was negative, his lampooning of the Irish language would have found favour among some in his East Derry constituency.

His latest sending up of the language is sure to generate further publicity for the DUP politician as he gears up for the May 7th Westminster general election.

Mr McLaughlin said Mr Campbell’s latest actions were “blatantly disrespectful” and were “contrary to the standards of courtesy, good temper and moderation which are expected in debate in this house”.

“Schoolboy behaviour falls well short of how business should be conducted in a mature elected legislature. I have to warn Mr Campbell that I will not let juvenile behaviour like this continue.

“The member is a serious and an experienced parliamentarian in this chamber and Westminster and knows full well he has to respect the rules of this house. If he continues to be deliberately disrespectful and discourteous to other members then I will have no option but to introduce a sanction against him.”

Mr Campbell on several occasions sought to make a point of order after the incident but Mr McLaughlin said he would only allow him to speak to make an apology. After Mr Campbell continued to press for a point of order Mr McLaughlin banned him from speaking over today and tomorrow.

In a statement last night Mr Campbell said it was absurd of Mr McLaughlin to “censor” him for yawning.

“If he is going to enforce when and how people yawn his workload will increase significantly,” he said, adding that he would not be silenced.