Wilson has 'brought shame' - Ford

David Ford has urged Sammy Wilson to apologise for his remarks

The environment minister has been accused of "bringing shame on Northern Ireland" by the Alliance's David Ford.

Sammy Wilson said on Sunday firms should give jobs to locals ahead of foreign nationals in the recession.

Mr Ford said Mr Wilson should withdraw his comments.

A DUP spokesman said its record in government showed it was "committed to equality and fairness for every single person in NI regardless of their background".

"In saying what he did, Sammy Wilson expressed a belief held by tens of thousands of people throughout Northern Ireland that it is the duty of government to look after the people of Northern Ireland and that business leaders and employers should try in so far as possible to do the same," the DUP spokesman added.

Earlier in the week, Bob Collins, of the Equality Commission, criticised Mr Wilson's comments, made on the BBC's Politics Show.

"You can't restrict applications for positions on the basis of a preferred national identity. The law is crystal clear."