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".

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