James McClean wins damages for Unionist Councillor’s ‘super Provo’ slur

The slur against McClean was made by Ulster Unionist Party representative Chris McGimpsey on BBC radio

Stoke City and Republic of Ireland midfielder James McClean is set to receive damages from a Belfast councillor who falsely referred to him as a "super Provo" on radio. McClean, who has once again been forced to face up to abuse over his stance on the poppy, began defamation proceedings after the comments were made. Ulster Unionist Party representative Chris McGimpsey, who made the comments on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show in November last year, has issued an unreserved apology for the comment, which suggested a link between McClean and the Provisional IRA. After the court proceedings - which were held on Wednesday - David Dunlop, barrister for McGimpsey issued a statement. "On November 9, 2018 Christopher McGimpsey made a statement in the course of a debate on the Stephen Nolan Show in which he referred to James McClean as being a 'super Provo'," he said. "Mr. McGimpsey did not intend to communicate that there was any affiliation between Mr McClean and the Provisional Irish Republican Army. "Mr. McGimpsey made this statement in the heat of the moment and did so without taking adequate care to consider the implications of those words. "He accepts that the statement was false and completely inaccurate. "Mr. McGimpsey had no basis whatsoever for suggesting any connection between Mr. McClean and the Provisional Irish Republican Army." The sum total of damages to be paid to McClean has yet to be established.