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And Finally Artist News
LCD Soundsystem’s Al Doyle calls Irish PM a “tosser” over abortion laws
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 2 October 2017
LCD Soundsystem’s Al Doyle has called Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar a “tosser”, after the politician came backstage at one of the band’s shows in Ireland. Doyle said that the PM failed to respond when he protested against the country’s abortion law, though the musician later apologised for making unnuanced arguments. However, he maintained that Varadkar is nevertheless a tosser.
Doyle said that he had put a ‘repeal’ tote bag around his neck when the Prime Minister had come backstage at the last of the band’s three shows at The Olympia in Dublin on Friday, a gesture that apparently prompted the politician to walk away. The ‘repeal’ bag is in support of the current campaign to repeal Ireland’s strict anti-abortion laws, a topic that, Doyle said, bandmate Nancy Whang also “took [the PM] to task” about.
“Irish PM Leo Varadkar came backstage”, wrote Doyle. “Wore a ‘repeal’ tote bag around my neck in front of him; he walked away. Tosser”. He added: “Nancy totally fucken took him to task as well, it was uncomfortable and awesome”.
A referendum on Ireland’s abortion laws is being planned for next year, but exactly what question will be asked is still not known. Many are calling for an outright repeal of the strict laws, introduced as the Irish constitution’s Eighth Amendment after a referendum in 1983. Others are suggesting that a more limited change to the law should be put to the vote – in part because some think that Ireland would not back a complete repeal.
Varadkar, who called the referendum, has not yet said whether or not he will campaign in favour of changing the law – refusing to be drawn until the actual wording of the question has been decided.
It seems to be this indecision that Doyle and Whang were mainly protesting against. Although the show’s promoter Caroline Downey disputed Doyle’s version of events, saying that it “did not happen”. She also posted a photo of the band meeting Varadkar.
Returning to Twitter the following morning, Doyle wrote: “Firstly, we should do our due diligence on any politico types that wanna come backstage. We didn’t in this case, and that was lax. Sorry. Secondly, a tote bag round the neck is a crap protest; sorry. But that’s all I had to hand, and I was very tired. Like, existentially tired. Thirdly, I don’t have much right to wade into this debate as some Johnny come lately when it’s not even my country, so sorry about that too”.
He continued: “I just think that women’s bodies are their own, and it’s weird that anyone feels they can’t just say that for any reason. Also it’s totally just my opinion that Leo Varadkar is a tosser. He just seemed like a bit of a tosser in the limited time I spent with him”.
Doyle also responded to complaints that coverage of his “tosser” comment was drawing media attention away from a pro-choice protest march taking place on Saturday, saying: “The last thing I wanted to do was detract from the march today that, like an idiot, I’m only now finding out about. I’m glad there’s a referendum happening; of course I am. And I’d hate to distract from the real debate in any way”.
Varadkar meanwhile told Ireland’s Sunday Independent newspaper that it was “a real privilege” to be invited backstage to meet the band, adding: “One or two of the band members wanted to share their view with me on the Eighth Amendment. I had no problem at all with that”.
