Hayes admits he got it wrong for using ‘segregation’ word

A FAVOURITE to take over as Fine Gael’s next leader apologised last night after sparking a race row by using the “wrong and ridiculous” word — “segregation”.

However, the party’s education spokesman, Brian Hayes, said his “clumsy” language had been seized on by “politically correct opportunists” and should not be allowed to obscure the substance of his argument.

Mr Hayes, a front-runner with bookies to succeed Enda Kenny as leader of the opposition, sparked controversy when he said immigrant children with poor English should be “segregated” from other school pupils.