Politicians must temper talk about immigrants

POLITICIANS need to leave behind the inflammatory language blamed for creating fear over immigration, it was claimed yesterday.

Robin Wilson, director of Democratic Dialogue, which works to improve race relations, said tough talking on asylum-seeking from leaders in the North and the Republic made integration even harder.

Mr Wilson said hard-line attitudes and negative language should not be used when discussing refugees, ethnic diversity and immigration. “If leaders north and south were able to give out the language that does positive things, that would make a difference. We need positive language,” he said.