Allister slams Undertones documentary

NORTH Antrim MLA, Jim Allister, has called on the BBC to apologise for comments made about Ballymena in a ‘rockumentary’ about the Undertones.

He said: “I was shocked and appalled when in the BBC NI Documentary ‘Here Comes the Summer - The Undertones Story’ Journalist and Broadcaster Waldemar Januszczak described Ballymena as a ‘terrifying Protestant town’.

“The documentary also shows anti-British songs being sung by young children without comment. Is it any wonder the BBC finds itself the subject of criticism from far and wide as to its anti-Unionist bias. I have written to the BBC to outline my concerns and to remind them that the reputation of Ballymena should not be gratuitously damaged by such unwarranted comments.

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“Ballymena, like other parts of Northern Ireland, is suffering during the current economic crisis and relies on its image and reputation to lure investors and businesses alike that can stimulate the local economy. Quite frankly the BBC owe Ballymena and its people an apology,” he said.