Bertie Ahern interview: 'I reject racism in all its forms... but it's a sad day if you're jumped on for talking about immigration'

"Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said his comments around immigration were "not careful or polished" - but he stands over his views. Mr Ahern said it is a "sad day" if Ireland has reached the point where you are "jumped on" for discussing an issue that ordinary people are already debating."

"Ahern says he was 'wrong' to single out Africans but defends his right to raise concerns He rejects criticism from Muslim leader: 'I've stood on my head to try and help them' Ex-Fianna Fáil leader says six minute viral clip was not the full conversation"

"Mr Ahern said it is a "sad day" if Ireland has reached the point where you are "jumped on" for discussing an issue that ordinary people are already debating."

Bertie Ahern said his comments on immigration were not careful or polished, and he acknowledged being wrong to single out Africans. He defended his right to raise concerns about immigration and said it was a sad day if people were “jumped on” for discussing issues ordinary people already debate. He rejected criticism from a Muslim leader, saying he had “stood on my head” to try to help them. He also said a six-minute viral clip was not the full conversation, implying the criticism was based on incomplete context.

Read at Independent