DUP councillor Colin Kennedy’s remarks linking LGBT community with Hamas ‘treated as hate incident’ by PSNI

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/10/30/news/dup_councillor_colin_kennedy_s_remarks_linking_lgbt_community_with_hamas_treated_as_hate_incident_by_psni-3737801/

Police probing remarks by a DUP councillor in which he linked the LBGT community with support for Hamas are treating the case as a “hate incident”.

The PSNI has confirmed that it is investigating a “report of offensive comments during a council meeting in Bangor” last Wednesday.

A PSNI statement said the matter was “being treated as a hate incident”.

“Enquiries are ongoing to determine if any offences have been committed,” the statement said.

DUP representative Colin Kennedy made the remarks during an Ards and North Down Borough Council debate on the recent escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He said those who “endorse the LGBTQIA alphabet soup agenda… are now seeking to defend Hamas”.

Councillors were debating a DUP motion condemning attacks by Hamas on Israel and expressing hope for “an end to the bloodshed in Israel and Gaza”.

The councillor said: “Do not be surprised when those who enthusiastically endorse the LGBTQIA alphabet soup agenda in the West are the very same people who are now seeking to defend Hamas.”

Alliance deputy mayor Hannah Irwin called on the DUP councillor to retract his remarks

However, meeting chair and DUP mayor Jennifer Gilmour said: “I don’t feel that the comments were directed towards a personal individual in the room.

“It’s up to the member as to whether he wishes to withdraw his comments.”

Mr Kennedy said he would not withdraw his remarks but said he would to speak to Ms Irwin afterwards to “assuage any concerns she might have”.

Gay independent councillor Ray McKimm left the chamber in response to the exchange and later said he planned to lodge with the local government watchdog over the “offensive” remarks.

He also said he would make a complaint against the council over its handling of the matter.

A council spokesperson said: “The mayor of Ards and North Down, councillor Jennifer Gilmour, dealt with the discussion at last night’s council meeting in line with council standing orders.”

According to the PSNI, a hate and signal crime or incident will be recorded “where it is perceived that the perpetrator’s hostility or prejudice against any person or property is on the grounds of the victim’s ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, political opinion or disability”.

by columboscoat