DUP man accused of disrespecting Catholic community

The SDLP has accused the North's new Culture Minister of failing to show respect for people from the Catholic and nationalist communities.

The DUP's Nelson McCausland was appointed to the job last week in a reshuffle that followed the party's poor performance in the European election.

He is due to attend a cross-border meeting in Co Donegal, but is leaving behind a major row over his attitude towards Catholicism, the GAA and the Irish language.

He said yesterday that he would not attend any event in a Catholic church as he opposes the religion.

He also reiterated dismissive comments about GAA sports and the Irish language.

The SDLP is accusing him of failing in his duty to show respect for people outside his own community.