Politicians must 'throw everything' at tackling racism, FM says

The Northern Ireland Executive needs to "throw everything we have" at tackling hate crime to ensure people feel welcome and included, First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said.

She was speaking as the executive issued a joint response for the first time since a spate of racist and sectarian attacks in parts of Northern Ireland, including north Belfast, Ballymena and Donaghadee.

Stormont leaders have come under pressure to respond to the violence, amid calls for greater political leadership.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said there was "never any circumstance" in which threats of violence or intimidation could be justified.

The executive meeting came days after politicians and community representatives met following attacks on a number of homes in racially-motivated crimes in the Lower Oldpark area of north Belfast.

Asked if the executive should have spoken out sooner in condemnation against the violence, O'Neill said there had been a "raft" of action taken at a local level already.

"This was our first meeting since the summer recess so it's important we send the message unequivocally and collectively that we are united in standing against racism," she said.

The first minister said there needed to be "zero tolerance" for such behaviour and that while the executive was working on extending racial equality strategies, it could not afford to be complacent.

Little-Pengelly said while there were ongoing discussions about immigration at a UK-wide level, they must be separated from threats and intimidation which she said were "never justified".

"What we're focused on is trying to eliminate these threats, I don't want to be in a situation of having to come out and constantly condemn because something has happened, I want to be in a situation where these things do not happen," she added.

The statement, released on Thursday, says the executive condemns "all forms of racism, sectarianism and hostility towards individuals of different backgrounds".

It continues: "All acts of violence and intimidation are abhorrent and have no place in our society. We stand in solidarity with victims and their families.

"Every person, regardless of race, religion, or background, is entitled to feel safe and free from threat or intimidation."

The statement says the executive will work with the PSNI, civic leaders, community organisations, and statutory bodies "to ensure that our streets, neighbourhoods, and communities reflect the values of equality and respect".

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said threats of violence or intimidation could not be justified

The multi-agency meeting in Belfast on Tuesday was arranged by the Sinn Féin MP John Finucane who said all cross-community representatives were given reassurances by the police around their response to the recent attacks and threats.

He said the police assured everyone at the meeting that they are taking the attacks "very seriously".

On Monday, a landlord who is housing Filipino workers in a number of properties near Ballymena, County Antrim, told BBC News NI he fears for his own safety and theirs, after six vehicles were burnt and destroyed outside where six of his tenants live.

Police have said they are treating the arson attack as a racially-motivated hate crime.