Councillor condemns Provost for 'stoking flames of sectarian hatred' in column

A GREENOCK councillor has condemned Inverclyde’s Provost for ‘stoking the flames of sectarian hatred’ in controversial column about this weekend’s Orange walk in Gourock.

Comments made by Councillor Drew McKenzie in his Telegraph column earlier this week sparked major backlash, with council leader Stephen McCabe describing them as ‘ill-judged’.

He has today issued an ‘unreserved apology’ for the remarks, saying his ‘attempt to be humorous’ was an ‘error of judgement’.

He said: “I was told many years ago by a well-respected, now former, councillor that when it comes to Orange Order marches to do nothing.

“Do not support, do not oppose, just let it happen. Good advice that I should have adhered to.”

In a letter addressed to the Provost, Councillor James Daisley welcomed the response but raised concerns about damage done which ‘goes beyond an apology’.

He wrote: “When I first read this column, I was shocked and in utter disbelief at its contents and language and could not understand exactly why the Provost of Inverclyde would commit to text such an inflammatory, offensive and utterly repulsive article to our local newspaper – and still now I fail to understand why.”

Cllr Daisley made reference to a section of the column which discussed the history behind the marches.

He said: “You refer to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 as being ‘a bit of a doing’ for Catholic King James.

“Do you understand the history behind this and what it inflicted upon the people of Scotland, both Catholic and Protestant?”

Cllr Daisley continued: “Do you understand the decades of work and effort that have went into working on education and eradicating sectarianism from Inverclyde and Scotland?

READ MORE: Provost offers apology after Gourock Orange walk comments

“The divide has softened in recent years due to this hard work and effort, and in single few paragraphs, you have proven that those old attitudes still simmer.

“I cannot remember ever seeing an elected public servant in this country stoke the flames of sectarian hatred as much as this article you have written has done.

“I wonder if you fully understand the true impact of what you have written.”

In closing his letter, Cllr Daisley raised questions over the reparations the Provost will have to make in order to regain the trust of those he ‘should so humbly and respectfully represent’.