DUP defends Wilson's jobs remark

Sammy Wilson said job seekers from NI should take precedence

A DUP colleague has defended comments by Environment Minister Sammy Wilson that jobs should go to locals ahead of foreign nationals during the recession.

The SDLP's Dolores Kelly called on Jeffrey Donaldson to ask the Office of the First and Deputy First Minster to get him to withdraw the remarks.

She said his comments had sent our "a poor message" to foreign nationals.

However, the junior minister said Mr Wilson was "entitled to participate in that debate and discussion".

Mr Donaldson told the Assembly: "In times of economic downturn it is perfectly legitimate to question if immigration policy needs to be restricted further in relation to economic migrants."

Mr Wilson has faced calls from a number of politicians for him to withdraw his remarks, which he made on the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday.

Alliance Party leader David Ford accused him of "bringing shame on Northern Ireland".

Sinn Féin assembly member Sue Ramsey said: "What Sammy Wilson fails to recognise is the rights and entitlements of foreign workers and the fact that laws, especially European laws, make working across countries a basic right."

Earlier in the week, Bob Collins, of the Equality Commission, said the law on job appointments was "crystal clear".

"You can't restrict applications for positions on the basis of a preferred national identity," he said.

Mr Wilson said on Sunday: "I think you've got to be very careful when you talk in those terms because people always accuse you of being racist and xenophobic.

"However, when it comes to a downturn, I think if jobs are becoming vacant and you've got people with equal skills, and can do the job, etcetera, then I think preference should be given to people from Northern Ireland."

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