Call For Wilson To Withdraw Breastfeeding Comments

A DUP MLA has been called to withdraw his comments about breast feeding.

Mr Sammy Wilson MP described a recommendation allowing mothers to breastfeed in the House of Commons as "voyeuristic" and later changed his remarks to refer to it as "exhibitionism".

Ulster Unionist MLA, Jo-Anne Dobson, said: "Breast feeding is natural and should be both encouraged and facilitated where practicable.

"Sammy Wilson needs to stop acting like a teenager giggling at the back of biology class and grow up. He should withdraw his comments."

Pregnant Alliance Councillor Sian O'Neill said: "Both terms used by Sammy Wilson sexualise a natural activity, at a time when we should be doing all we can to encourage more women into politics.

"As a woman I found his remarks both offensive and patronising and screaming of the old established men in grey suits image politics often struggles to shake.

"As a mother to be his comments completely attacked my natural rights, a right I plan on utilising to the fullest by breastfeeding my baby in the Council chamber if the need arises.

"Thanks to the ongoing work of Belfast City Council Women's Steering Group, City Hall will be a more welcoming place for me to nurse my child than it seems Sammy Wilson would like.

"It's 2016 and we need to stand together to make sure views like Sammy's are seen for what they are - out of date and perverse. I would urge him to apologise as soon as possible for the remarks and would further question what his Party Leader Arlene Foster thinks of his attempts to block a working mother balancing political and family life."

(CD)