A DUP politician has rejected a call to apologise over claims he used a 'homophobic slur' on BBC One's Question Time.
While debating illegal immigration during this week's show, Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley said it was time to stop 'pansying around' the subject.
Host Fiona Bruce and other guests appeared shocked at the term, while Eóin Tennyson, Alliance MLA for Upper Bann, later called on Buckley to apologise.
However, the DUP man has rejected the suggestion, branding the response an attempt by 'the woke brigade' to deflect from the issue of illegal immigration.
'Derogatory term'
During Thursday night's show from Belfast, the panel were responding to a comment about people voicing legitimate concerns about illegal immigration being branded far right.
In response, Buckley said there had been 'a deliberate attempt by Labour and previously the Conservatives to brand anybody that showed any concern with illegal and uncontrolled immigration as racist'.
He later added: "There are people from traditional nationalist and republican backgrounds, alongside unionists and loyalists, who feel that enough is enough when it comes to pansying around on illegal immigration."
“Wait, did you just say 'pansying around?'" replied a perplexed-looking Bruce, adding: "I mean, that is a word that is often used as a derogatory term for people who are homosexual, is that what you mean?"
"No, that is exactly not what I mean," countered Buckley.
"That is exactly what that word means," interjected journalist Aoife Moore.
"That is not what I mean. I will say very, very clearly that is not what I mean," replied Buckley.
"I'm saying clearly to the audience tonight, there's a conversation happening in Northern Ireland — other people want to deflect from it.
"Let's get serious, let's ensure that we have border policies that reflect a country that is in control of its borders."
'Playground insults'
Following the comments, Tennyson called for Buckley to apologise for his 'embarrassing' comments.
"Using a homophobic slur on national TV isn't just offensive, it's embarrassing," he said.
“Jonathan Buckley should apologise for his car-crash performance.
"Sadly, we've come to expect these playground insults from DUP politicians.
"Their nasty, divisive and hateful rhetoric is increasingly out of touch and out of date.
"It demeans respectful public debate and certainly doesn't represent the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland, who are decent, fair and inclusive."
However, Buckley subsequently doubled down on Twitter/X, further branding the furore an attempt to distract from the issue.
"The woke brigade are in overdrive. Imagine being lectured by Eoin Tennyson on language & slurs!" he wrote.
He added: "This is another clear attempt to deflect from the crisis of illegal and uncontrolled immigration."
See More: Jonathan Buckley, Question Time
