BNP leader stands by ‘Fenian bastards’ tweet

The leader of the British National Party, MEP Nick Griffin, has refused to apologise for a tweet in which he referred to “Fenian bastards” — even though in the past he has claimed his ancestors came from a village in North Cork.

The row erupted when the leader of the far right political party tweeted pictures from the Orange Order Parade on Saturday commemorating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant opposing Home Rule.

The BNP leader said he received abusive messages to his Twitter account, and then tweeted: “So Ulster pics have upset my Republican stalkers. Tell you what, the bodran can’t match the lambeg, you Fenian bastards.”

He told BBC Radio Ulster that the message referred to “the republican grievance exploitation machine who were leaving foul-mouthed tweets”.

“If they want to leave vast amounts of foul-mouthed abuse on my Twitter feed when I’m showing people on the mainland, primarily, a part of the culture of Britain that they don’t see much of, and if that upset a group of republicans, I’m not going to apologise.”

In January, University College Cork’s Government and Politics Society withdrew its invitation to the BNP leader to speak at a debate in February over safety fears. The proposed debate had sparked widespread opposition.

Ten years ago, Mr Griffin was quoted as saying he wanted to bring his family to visit the village of Ballygriffin near Killavullen in North Cork, where he claimed his ancestors had originated.

“I will be there later this year on holiday, but I intend to spend some time working, too,” he said at the time.

The contentious Unionist parade passed a Catholic church in Belfast and went off without incident.

More than 2,000 Orangemen from north Belfast lodges were surrounded by a heavy police presence as they marched towards City Hall to take part in a Loyal Order parade to mark the centenary of the signing of the pro-Union Ulster Covenant.

An estimated 30,000 marchers took part in the Orange Order march — from the City Hall to the grounds of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont in east Belfast.

Unionists agreed with the Parades Commission to play only hymns along Donegall St — from the Carrick Hill junction to Royal Avenue — as they passed St Patrick’s Church near the city centre.

Locals had requested that no music be played outside the church.

The place of worship has been the scene of disorder at points during the summer after a band was accused of playing sectarian music outside it on Jul 12.

Protesters and residents claimed the bands breached the rules set by the Parades Commission by playing the most famous Unionist anthem The Sash before reaching the end of the stretch.

Carrick Hill Residents Association chairman Frank Dempsey said the parade had flouted the rules.