The Irish community is demanding that London mayor Boris Johnson apologize for ridiculing remarks he made about the city's St Patrick's Day gala dinner and celebrations, which ran from 2002 to 2008.
The mayor linked the celebrations to Sinn Fein, calling it "lefty crap." His remarks were branded as "lazy and stupid," according to the Irish Independent.
The controversial mayor's comments come less than three months ahead of the city's mayoral election.
In an interview to the ‘New Statesman’ newspaper he said: “. . . And I'll tell you what makes me angry. . . spending £20,000 (€24,000) on a dinner at the Dorchester (hotel) for Sinn Fein.”
Irish community leader in London, Shelagh O'Connor, from Kerry, said the mayor's comments were extremely disrespectful.
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“They reflect an era that we thought had passed and an era when Irish people in London faced discrimination and were the butt of jokes. We deserve more respect. It makes me very angry and I feel Boris should apologise,” she said.
Christine Quigley, a Labour candidate for the upcoming London Assembly elections, said that Johnson's comments were baseless.
“Boris’s lazy and stupid remark is utterly factually wrong. The fact is the annual St Patrick's Day event he refers to was a self-financing community event attended by a wide range of Irish actors and politicians from many parties, community figures and celebrities, including Bob Geldof, the Irish Ambassador, Dermot O'Leary, Richard Corrigan, and Pauline McLynn. It did not cost the taxpayer £20,000 and it was not a Sinn Fein event," said Quigley, who is originally from Dublin.
Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Vernon Coaker said Johnson's comments were “ill-judged, inaccurate and offensive."
The St Patrick's Day gala dinners, which were backed by the mayor's office under Ken Livingstone for six years, came to an abrupt end when Johnson came to office in 2009.
The proceeds raised from the sales of tickets to the black-tie dinners and sponsorship covered the costs with any monies left over given to an Irish community charity in London and also towards the costs of the city's St Patrick's Day parade and festival.
An open letter criticizing the mayor's comments and signed by many London-based Irish personalities such as restaurateur and chef Richard Corrigan and actor Adrian Dunbar was sent to the ‘Guardian’ newspaper.
Said a spokesman for Johnson, “The mayor does not believe he was elected to organize exclusive and expensive dinners at the Dorchester Hotel . . . He appreciates and admires the Irish like every other community in this wonderful cosmopolitan capital.”
The Irish Embassy in London has declined to comment.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.feliciamaisey | Feb 24, 2012, 09:34 AM EST
Well, the man is clearly without tact isn't he? And his comments are just too urbane for comment--snicker gag here, clear my throat, but MaryM232, you are really without intelligence as evidenced in your post. You obviously know nothing about the Irish people, the dinner, nor the incredible history and importance of Saint Patrick.
AMWilson | Feb 14, 2012, 10:02 PM EST
MaryM, your rendering of history is hilarious! Wales isn't part of Ireland, so no one's claiming Patrick as a "son of the soil" anyway. And by the way, since you're apparently such a fan of all things Anglo, "irregardless" isn't actually a word in the English language. It's "regardless", meaning "without regard". Adding an "ir" in front of it is what we call "redundant".
peterson | Feb 14, 2012, 08:19 PM EST
The English are jealous !!
johnymac60 | Feb 14, 2012, 10:45 AM EST
@MaryM232, It's fairly clear that 1. You have no love for the Irish and 2. You have no knowledge of the Irish. Your post is filled with ignorance and foolishness. As an Irish person, I wish you well. I hope you enjoy St Patrick's day.
upsceach | Feb 14, 2012, 12:52 AM EST
Patrick was welsh,kidnapped/enslaved and worked as a sheep hearder. escaped went to Rome ,became a monk/priest/holyman came back to Ireland and brought christianity to Ireland. and of course chased away the snakes. we need him back again to clear out another batch of snakes. Now MaryM232 thats the history of Patrick. we dont take credit for everything ever created in the states, but there have been many things that the irish were part of and built that we are proud of. As for the amadan in london, the election is coming and he will get his just rewards.
MaryM232 | Feb 13, 2012, 11:53 PM EST
Actually, Patrick was an Italian monk. Just as the Irish try to take credit for everything ever created in America, they try and claim Patrick as a son of the soil. Irregardless of whether you love Ireland or not, you have to admit, that the Irish elites like the woman who holds this ridiculous dinner, don't give a damn about Ireland, or the Irish people. The people of Ireland are being sold out like chattel slaves, for the profit of fat, greasy Irish pols & their cronies. Frankly, I don't blame Boris for speaking out on his annoyance, it's long past due.
Curitiba | Feb 13, 2012, 06:53 PM EST
Boris feels he can say what he likes about the Irish because he doesn't think there's enough of them for their vote to matter. He would be much more wary of upsetting the Asian (that's Indian/Pakistani for American readers, not Chinese) community's vote because he thinks they vastly outnumber the Irish. Red Ken, his predecessor, valued the Irish vote and did a lot for the Irish community in London.
seanomelb | Feb 13, 2012, 05:11 PM EST
Proudcanadian the post with my name is not mine,neither am I an American and I agree with your answer to "ciara with the short memory span"
Sparklet | Feb 13, 2012, 04:17 PM EST
I believe Patrick was Welsh - kidnapped by an Irish raiding party who took him into slavery. According to some historians, we actually started it. :)
lyoness555 | Feb 13, 2012, 03:56 PM EST
So much for class and tact Boris where did they get this pig? I can't believe that this fat albino troglodyte is the mayor of London! What a fat ignorant slob - wasnt St Patrick English ?!
Sparklet | Feb 13, 2012, 03:10 PM EST
Everyone I know who goes to Ireland, comes back saying they've had a grand time and were made really welcome, and they go back again and again. As the song says, Though we'll not forget, surre our hearts are set on tomorrow and peace once again...
ciaradexy | Feb 13, 2012, 03:01 PM EST
Well said Sparklet. My mates from Reading and Manchester usually visit me for the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations. Theyve never felt unwelcome or unliked when theyre here.
Sparklet | Feb 13, 2012, 02:07 PM EST
Durtymurphy, the Brits don't even want to start St.Georges Day up in England! It might upset and offend you but on St Pat's night here, the Irish and the English usually celebrate together. As for always hating and fearing the Irish? Yes, that's why so many of them have Irish spouses/partners. I don't know what planet you're on. Planet Letsliveinthepasttoatoneforleaving maybe?
durtymurphy | Feb 13, 2012, 12:53 PM EST
The Brits have always hated and feared the Irish, mostly for the spirit they could not break, but jealousy was always rampant, especially over the magnitude of the St.Patrick's celebrations in America, to such a point that they tried to start St. George's Day in the states. Nobody showed up.
ciaradexy | Feb 13, 2012, 12:33 PM EST
Proudcanadian, I AM Irish, born and raised and unlike you, I know what Im talking about.
norinalundy | Feb 13, 2012, 12:16 PM EST
@ProudCanadian, who gives you the right to pronounce all Americans as racist and ignorant? We cannot blame entire nations for what a few do or speak to, therefore, I will not blame all Canadians for your idiotic blunders. Do you know all of us? Hopefully, you are, as one has mentioned, part of a very small minority. Anyone who makes statements such as the one that Boris made could do best to think before he or she speaks. Perhaps you could take the same advice.
Sparklet | Feb 13, 2012, 10:48 AM EST
Boris Johnson is an idiot. I agree with citizen69. And English people celebrate St Patrick's Day more than they do St George's, that's for sure.
GAPetrie | Feb 13, 2012, 08:54 AM EST
"Doesn't believe he was elected to" -- take care of all London's citizens? This banquet sounds like an ample and fitting way to care for the needy in the city's Irish community. And to pay for the parade, which the entire city enjoys. Isn't it obvious that he hates Irish people? He talks like he thinks they're all raising mayhem and invading his country or something.
IrelandNorth | Feb 13, 2012, 05:38 AM EST
"Lefty crap", (?) - from a Tory Mayor of London with a conspicuously Russian name - 'Boris'. Bring back 'Red' Ken Livingstone all is forgiven. Mind you, his defensive comment is quite obviously a case of pre-election gitters based on a justifiable intuition of losing to the Labour man.
citizen69 | Feb 13, 2012, 01:33 AM EST
Boris is a public school boy idiot. Of course some people will clamour to depict this the general English attitude to the Irish. It isn't.
Springfield9 | Feb 13, 2012, 12:53 AM EST
Yes, he's crude. Why is he crude? Because a few days of Irish fellowship doesn't compare (in his eyes) to the everyday buggery Londoners like so much.
Heather911 | Feb 12, 2012, 09:26 PM EST
Interesting. How the hell did my post get posted under seanomelb?
sirpeter | Feb 12, 2012, 08:34 PM EST
I don't mean this in a bad way but Ciaredexy has tendency to form an opinion based on her own experience.I can relate to a lot of what she says because she is Irish.In general she is correct on a lot of things.But the English are disliked by many people across the world.English football hooliganism:On 15 February 1995, England played Ireland. English fans started to throw items down into the stand below and rip up seats.50 people were injured.Just when Ireland was winning 1-Nil.France 98 was marred by violence as English fans clashed with the North African locals of Marseille, which led to up to 100 English fans being arrested.A Russian youth was also stabbed in Brighton,because his attackers mistook him as being German.Heysel Stadium in Brussels.Liverpool fans broke through a line of police officers and ran toward the Juventus supporters 39 Juventus fans were crushed to death.Maybe it's a bit more than dislike.That's the Brits when they are in a bunch causing riots in other peoples Countries.I won't pick up a history book.This is the modern Brit.
ProudCanadian | Feb 12, 2012, 07:29 PM EST
Ciaredexy, I can see that you don't know history. What do you think all the trouble in the North is about, religion is a lot of it but the English trying to enslave the Irish had a lot to do with it. Who do you think the Irish were fighting in 1916 wasn't the Polish, Germans or French. Don't kid yourself bucko there is still a dislike for the English and rightly so. Read your history books if you can read.
PatriciaMarya | Feb 12, 2012, 07:10 PM EST
He does seem to have a very South African/Apartheid look about him, very fleshy and eyes being close together give him a difficult, hard look. Can't imagine the quality and sophistication levels of his leadership skills set!
sirpeter | Feb 12, 2012, 06:51 PM EST
I wouldn't go as far as saying Irish people hate the English.But no matter where they go.They do a very good job at been disliked all over the world whenever there is a bunch of them together.
ciaradexy | Feb 12, 2012, 06:16 PM EST
ProudCanadian, get a grip! ''Once again I am sorry that If I have offended, but if anyone wants to know why the Irish hate the Engish this is a good clue.'' Cop yourself on! I dont know any irish person who hates the English. What a ridiculous sweeping generalisation. Stop trying to stir up cr@p here.
oaklongan | Feb 12, 2012, 06:15 PM EST
At second look, johnson looks way overweight and pasty. Do him good to spend years at honest,hard labor as a ranch hand in Arizona. Shake the fat off between his ears, for straters, then work its way down...
ProudCanadian | Feb 12, 2012, 06:11 PM EST
I'm sorry if I have offended but I just tell it like I see it. I have some good friends in the US but most I have met think that the US is the only place on earth and come up to Canada and tell us we have nothing and we are nothing. I have been around our country and talked to many people and the Majority will tell you the same. I will confess that I may have spoke out of turn about the odinary Joe American they are just poor schmucks like our Canaian and other poor schmucks around the world that have to take the crap that the country and world has to give them. I'm just saying that there are certian people that think that they are so much better that anyone else and this Boris idiot is one of them and most of the Republican fools in the US are like him. Once again I am sorry that If I have offended, but if anyone wants to know why the Irish hate the Engish this is a good clue.
TayandCake | Feb 12, 2012, 06:06 PM EST
But the irish are lazy and stupid
oaklongan | Feb 12, 2012, 06:04 PM EST
London mayor boris johnson looks like Donald Trump on a BAD day with his hair blown down...also from what you CAN see of his eyes looks like he was just crawled out of the notorious haunted London subway tunnels.
Curitiba | Feb 12, 2012, 05:49 PM EST
Maybe he has the hump about not being invited to Washington for St Paddy's day. It's not as if the Tories are completely unaware of the whole thing, his boss DC has been invited.
Madeliene | Feb 12, 2012, 05:28 PM EST
who he hell cares what he thinks or says??
seanomelb | Feb 12, 2012, 04:17 PM EST
The ignorant non-irish anti nationalists will use any post to demonise the Irish.Some of the ignorant prats below should hang their collective heads in a bucket of vomit.Boris is the misinformed fool here and no one else.
seanomelb | Feb 12, 2012, 04:11 PM EST
ProudCanadian, I am American and I honestly think your comment is completely B.S. America welcomes a lot of people of other countries over here and we allow many fools, including those from your own country, to walk all over us and our rights. Many abuse the system here so they can get what they want. I do not find Americans to be stuck up and arrogant as you claim, maybe you should read your post again and tell me who the real arrogant fool is?
seanomelb | Feb 12, 2012, 04:08 PM EST
Irish are far more friendly than many of the stuck up Brits that find their way to America. Hate to say it. Maybe people enjoy celebrating the Irish holidays because of that. I could really be hateful and say what I really want, but that is just not the right thing to do.
ballylanger | Feb 12, 2012, 03:56 PM EST
For jasus sake Boris, we're only celebrating the occupation if our dear little island by the Vatican!
yorkville | Feb 12, 2012, 03:43 PM EST
Who cares what that pompous ass thinks...Irish and very proud to be.
merefalow | Feb 12, 2012, 03:41 PM EST
what else would you expect from an upper class privileged tory silver spooned class warrior aristo t... like bonking boris the buffoon.why be surprised?a good shillailying would teach him some manners and respect.
mamaginnty | Feb 12, 2012, 03:30 PM EST
Bunkerisland give the Pit...Kid a left hook as well..from me.
RedBranch | Feb 12, 2012, 03:00 PM EST
Sure the Rats gave a concert at Leopardstown back in 79 or 80 and there were a couple of stabbings. Still there was no Lefty Crap just cheap cider, sherry, McKewan's and poor acoustics.
bunkerisland | Feb 12, 2012, 02:08 PM EST
I am a "lefty" and wouldn't mind if he experienced the knuckles of my left hand a few times!
LizFlady | Feb 12, 2012, 02:01 PM EST
another case where a politician should learn that even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if it kept it's big mouth shut.
Pittsburghkid | Feb 12, 2012, 01:53 PM EST
Maybe the Mayor has a point. St Patrick's Day should not be political, either to the left of right. This is why the New York St Patrick's Day refused the Gays right to march. Sinn Fein should not be part of the Parade. Although, I believe that a tribute to Irish Mothers should. Irish Mothers are changing the demographic of Northern Ireland. This is a victory, that Sinn Fein could have never done, but will take the credit.
Silling | Feb 12, 2012, 01:53 PM EST
Is the article referring to ex-Irishman Bob Geldof? Those same narrow minded Irish that refused him permission to host his concert at L.Town racecourse? But after band aid they tried to reclaim him, but he shafted them and took a knighthood. Saint BOB became sir Bob. The Irish need to grow up. Who is the latest tall poppy over there? Would it be by any chance Michael O'Leary? Personally I think Ireland should ask the POPE to sack Saint Patrick for doing such a bad job at getting rid of the snakes. Sure is'nt the country crawling with them.
bob40wil | Feb 12, 2012, 01:41 PM EST
Well ProuCanadian, it's nice to see what some of our Northen neighbors think of us, luckily I have reletives and friends in Canada so I know you are part of a very small minority. But thanks for letting the world know what a bunch of disspicable fools we down here are.
AMWilson | Feb 12, 2012, 01:27 PM EST
ProudCanadian, it always amuses me how people like you can claim the moral high ground by making sweeping statements about the faults of entire nationalities. But you're open-minded and we're all bigots, right?
ProudCanadian | Feb 12, 2012, 12:26 PM EST
Doesn't surprise me, next to Americans the English are the most irogant,racists people in the world. They open there mouths and crap seems to come out. Shame on you Boris, and they wonder why the Irish hate them. Wouldn't you?
Curitiba | Feb 12, 2012, 12:16 PM EST
This year's festival is in Finsbury Park, London in June.
RockNReel | Feb 12, 2012, 12:04 PM EST
Is that Boris The German who is making a clown of himself again ?? Poor auld Boris!! he found out that he was in fact a kraut and the fact that he despises the Germans so much he is finding it hard to swallow, so now he is taking it out on the Irish . Wouldn't mind if he got his facts right---Silly Boy !!
Curitiba | Feb 12, 2012, 12:04 PM EST
I don't know why they bother with these St Patrick's Day parades. Wasn't there a big hoohaa about one in Hoboken, NJ lately? The London Irish Festivals in Roundwood Park near Wembley and were the best thing ever as far as celebrating Irishness goes. No standing round watching 32 county associations go by zzzz. Plus we didn't even have to tell Boris about them.
norinalundy | Feb 12, 2012, 11:54 AM EST
I guess the terms, "lazy and stupid" threw me off some. Perhaps indifferent, mindless, empty headed, gratuitous, unreasoning, thoughtless, brainless or simply unthinking would have served better. What would you have coming from a big white owl who probably only knows how to hoot and holler?
DrTrelawney | Feb 12, 2012, 11:29 AM EST
In what sense am I ignorant? I am, after all, the person who spotted the error. You are the one who reread the piece and still failed to understand it.
shuvonn | Feb 12, 2012, 11:26 AM EST
YOU ARE Dr ( do you just play on on LINE?) Childish, ignorant and error prone, now get a life and grow up
marciaashley | Feb 12, 2012, 11:04 AM EST
faberm1 you said it all. i love the irish people and THEIR ST> PATRICKS celebration. we celabrate st. pats every year and have since i was a kid. does anyone condem the way you mr. mayor set your cup on the table? remember that the next time try biting your lip instead of spitting it out.
DrTrelawney | Feb 12, 2012, 10:55 AM EST
It seems that Irish Central has taken the hint and corrected the copy, shuvonn. Who's an "eejit"?
DrTrelawney | Feb 12, 2012, 10:41 AM EST
On and there was (I admit) one error in my initial post. It was Christine Quigley, not Sheelagh O'Connor, who used the fatal words. The point remains.
DrTrelawney | Feb 12, 2012, 10:33 AM EST
No, you blithering idiot. He did NOT SAY THAT. Okay. Read this slowly (or have somebody else read it to you if necessary). The line that seems to have caused the confusion reads: 'The Irish community demanded Mr Johnson apologise for his remarks, claiming they were “lazy and stupid”.' Note the comma. It is "the Irish community" that is complaining that "they" (the comments) are "lazy and stupid". If (as seems likely) you are still puzzled then read down a few paragraphs and you'll encounter Quigley's full quote: "Boris’s lazy and stupid remark is utterly factually wrong". Do you understand now?
shuvonn | Feb 12, 2012, 10:20 AM EST
oh dear, read the article again DrTrelawney before you go making a complete eejit of yourself. He DID say that but apparently you did not take your own advice, and made yourself look like you accuse Irish Central of doing. Read the piece IF YOU ARE ABLE :-)
DrTrelawney | Feb 12, 2012, 09:58 AM EST
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. What an astonishing mistake by Irish Central. Boris Johnson did not refer to the Irish as “lazy and stupid”. He would no longer be in office if he had. Sheelagh O’Connor, a Labour candidate from Kerry, labelled his comments “lazy and stupid”. Read the piece (if you’re able). It really couldn’t be any clearer. I wonder if he’ll sue. (Apologies if this comment doubles-up. I commented earlier and it seems to have vanished.)
DrTrelawney | Feb 12, 2012, 09:57 AM EST
He's not the Lord Mayor of London. That's an honourary post relating to the City.
faberm1 | Feb 12, 2012, 09:56 AM EST
Should any of of give a hoot in hell what the 'Lord Mayor of London" says or thinks. The irish do just fine world over. I would say don't dignify his comment with a response.
seagreen | Feb 12, 2012, 09:42 AM EST
Mayor of London ? Isn;t that sort of like being the Mayor of Washington D.C. ?
Paradigm | Feb 12, 2012, 09:33 AM EST
Boris is right - he's taking his lead from the current Irish Government that wants to earn respect - not demand it. Those starry-eyed emigrants world over were the people who sustained the PIRA - he's right about that too.
borefield | Feb 12, 2012, 09:32 AM EST
Perhaps Boris should have a Vodka with Putin for St. Patrick's Day. So glad the Queen saw Ireland and liked what she saw. Boris, Boris wake up, I'm not sure where you belong.
pilib04 | Feb 12, 2012, 09:30 AM EST
this buffoon spends nothing on the dinner. the dinner is funded separately. there is no government funding. yet the buffoon gets to lie and get away with it. nothing new there. the english have been lying for centuries. they have made an art form out of it. not just about the irish, but the welsh, scots, africans in general, and kenyans and zulus in particular. english lie about everything and anything that has to do with their historical imperialist policies. probably where american leaders came up with the idea.
LoyalCitizen | Feb 12, 2012, 09:00 AM EST
Maybe he has heard that Irish Politicians prefer America on St Patrick's day.
jacersagain | Feb 12, 2012, 08:47 AM EST
Ah Boris, Boris... that likeable rogue! He is quintessentially English but you can’t help but like him. He also hates Germany and Germans. It was huge shock to him to discover, in his search for his roots through the “Who do You Think You Are?” TV series, that he was of aristocratic German descent. I remember well his palpable shocked reaction, seen in his eyes at that moment of discovery in the programme. Ah Boris, Boris... the anti-Irish fool.