A born-again Christian preacher in Belfast is to be prosecuted for describing Islam as “satanic” and “the spawn of the devil”.
Pastor James McConnell was accused of Islamophobia after he denounced the Muslim religion as a “heathen” faith in May 2014. He issued a public apology, but not before Northern Ireland’s first minister, Peter Robinson, came under fire for initially defending him.
Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service said on Thursday that McConnell was offered an “informed warning” that would have avoided a prosecution but he declined to accept it. » | Henry McDonald Ireland correspondent | Thursday, June 18, 2015
THE GUARDIAN: Belfast preacher who denounced Islam as evil issues apology: Pastor issues apology just hours before Northern Ireland police question him about allegations he has been inciting hatred » | Henry McDonald, Ireland correspondent | Friday, June 06, 2015