Burnside kicks out at Paisley line dancing comments

Ian Paisley’s Free Presbyterian Church was accused today of being out of step by describing line dancing as ‘‘sinful’’.

South Belfast UUP candidate David Burnside described the church’s comments as an attack on a perfectly normal leisure activity.

Mr Burnside, whose DUP opponent William McCrea is a Free Presbyterian Minister, said: ‘‘I’m calling on line dancers to say ‘No’, to carry out a campaign against the Paisleys and McCreas who are trying to stop people having a bit of decent ordinary fun.’’

The church had issued a statement saying that it would not allow line dancing at its weddings, adding it was ‘‘as sinful as any other type of dancing with its sexual gestures and touching’’.

Mr Burnside said that while out canvassing in Ballyclare, the line dancing issue had been the hot topic of conversation among the public.

He said line dancing was a popular pastime in the Co Antrim town and surrounding villages.

‘‘This gives a warning to the voters if the Paisleyites get elected to Westminster or to local government. What sort of dictatorial regime would they impose on our lives?’’ he added.

But Mr McCrea hit back at Mr Burnside’s comments.

‘‘It is pathetic at a time when the RUC is being destroyed and Sinn Fein/IRA is in Government and terrorists are being released on to our streets that David Burnside should attack me on a matter such as line dancing.

‘‘Mr Burnside certainly beggars belief for he cannot attack me on policy. The sooner he gets back on his bike to London the better,’’ he added.