DUP MP stands by comments amid race row over BBC's Songs Of Praise casting

He has declined to apologise over the comments, emphasising that he is and always has been anti-racist.

DUP’s Gregory Campbell has come under criticism for his comments on social media. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

DUP MP Gregory Campbell has stood by his comments over the casting of a gospel music section of Songs Of Praise amid online criticism.

The East Derry representative said he had been subjected to the “vilest of abuse” following media coverage of his suggestion the number of black people taking part in a gospel competition on the BBC show was the corporation “at its BLM (Black Lives Matter) worst”.