The controversial Belfast pastor cleared of broadcasting hate speech after a sermon in which he branded Islam 'satanic' has said he forgives the BBC interviewer whose interviews with him brought him widespread negative publicity.
Pastor James McConnell was tried after a sermon in which he said: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell" was broadcast online. He was charged with contravening the law against causing a grossly offensive message to be sent by means of a public electronic communications network.
BBC presenter Stephen Nolan won an award for an interview with McConnell in 2014. One of the judges, Kevin Marsh, said: "Nolan was well informed and well prepared and tested the pastor's arguments robustly and persistently. The overall effect was an engaging interview in which not just the pastor's statements but his underlying attitudes were explored."
Nolan has now interviewed McConnell again for a programme to be screened on BBC Northern Ireland in November.
McConnell told the Belfast Telegraph he felt he had been treated "very unfairly" by Nolan in the past but said he had made his peace with the presenter.
"I was orphaned as a boy and there was nobody to look after me. At night I used to sleep under a big fir tree in Belfast's Ormeau Park," he said.
"I went back to that tree with Stephen Nolan. He asked me to pray under it so I took his hand and we prayed together."
He said he had changed his opinion about Nolan.
"We filmed for four days. He has been very good and very decent with me, although he hasn't said sorry – not yet. I've seen a side of him that the public doesn't see – a lovely side – although it only appears now and again.
"One minute I like Stephen, and the next minute I could strangle him."
McConnell said: "There was bad blood between myself and Stephen over his coverage after my sermon. I felt he hijacked me on TV and radio. He gave me a really hard time. He lined people up to knock me down. I never stood a chance in those interviews."
However, he told the Telegraph: "As a Christian, I forgave Stephen. And I thought, why shouldn't I do this with him? I've nothing to hide and it's a great opportunity to tell people about the gospel and let them see what Christ did for me, an orphan boy."
