DUP MP Gregory Campbell responds to criticism over Black Lives Matters comments centred on Songs of Praise Gospel episode

The MP was criticised for a post relating to a Gospel Singer of the Year episode, which he claimed showed a broadcaster “at its BLM worst”, and pointed to the five singers, three judges and one presenter being black. “The singers were all very good but can you imagine an all white line up with an all white jury and presented by a white person ? No I can’t either,” the post said.

Mr. Campbell’s comments were condemned by the North West Migrants Forum, which stated: “It is both astonishing and shocking that Mr. Campbell watched this deeply moving edition of Songs of Praise, full of love and praise for God, and saw only skin colour.

“Is he uncomfortable watching a programme where Black British people and culture are celebrated centre-stage?

“We call upon Mr. Campbell to provide any evidence that the five singers were there on the basis of anything other than their obvious skills, or that the three judges were selected for their skin colour rather than their expertise.

“Mr. Campbell’s statement is not a trivial matter; it is deeply irresponsible.”

His comments were also criticised by among others SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan.

Mr Durkan said: “A Member of Parliament really should know better than to post what he posted.

“While we know the DUP won’t take disciplinary action, the Standards Commissioner at Westminster should.”

Mr. Campbell said: “The rationale behind my post was straightforward. I am a regular viewer of Songs of Praise, it normally has presenters and performers of a range of ethnicities.

“That is good because Christianity in the UK is drawn from many ethnic backgrounds. But last week’s edition was different. The diversity of the Christian faith and Christian music looked to be the preserve of only one ethnic background in that edition.

“My reference to BLM also related to the composition of the programme.

“Many of us have been opposing racism all our lives but we are not signed up to the ‘take the knee’ movement. That is a legitimate viewpoint to take.”