Alleged racist comments sparks row between SF and SDLP

A row has broken out between Sinn Féin and the SDLP over alleged racist comments made by the SDLP's deputy leader.

Sinn Féin has claimed that Alastair McDonnell made a racist comment by allegedly complaining that Eastern European workers were stealing jobs from people here.

The SDLP, however, have said that they won't dignify the allegation with a response.

The party had already begun organising anti-racism training for all its members after a Newtownabbey councillor, Tommy McTeague, used a derogatory term to describe black people.

He subsequently apologised, stating that he used the term inadvertently, and never meant to cause offence.