Mutant commentator from Oz strikes below the belt

It came from Down Under and was certainly below the belt when an Australian political adviser launched an anti-Irish tirade during a TV debate about marriage equality, spurred by the referendum here.

Speaking on Sky News Australia, Grahame Morris made several claims about Ireland and the Irish people, among them a reference to the Great Famine, during which 1m people died.

He said he felt Australia was being forced into a vote after Ireland’s referendum, describing us as a people who “can’t grow potatoes”.