Police investigate threats made to elected representatives

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) called the video "completely unacceptable"

A criminal investigation is under way after threats were made to elected representatives in the Newry, Mourne and Down area, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have said.

The threats were made by three armed and masked men in front of an Irish flag, in a video circulating on social media.

One of them read a statement which said the area's assembly members (MLAs) and councillors were considered targets because of "policies" around immigration.

The threats purport to come from a previously unheard of group calling itself the "New Republican Movement".

Supt Lynne Corbett said: "It is completely unacceptable that anyone should face such threats and intimidation for carrying out the duties of the office to which they have been democratically elected.

"We have commenced an investigation to identify those responsible.

"Police in Newry, Mourne and Down will continue engaging closely with our local elected representatives and will do all we can to ensure they feel supported and safe in our communities, and that they can undertake their role free from intimidation."

Threats are 'absolutely deplorable'

SDLP councillor for the area Peter Byrne told BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show the threats were "certainly an escalation".

"We've had a number of threats around immigration policy in Newry to councillors on Newry, Mourne and Down over the last couple of months and it is deeply worrying. For me it's a disgraceful attempt to intimidate local representatives who are ordinary people," he said.

"I get that if people disagree with certain decisions of the council, but we live in a democracy, and if you agree with the strength of your argument, we should be able to debate it."

He added that the threats are "absolutely deplorable", and councillors have had to give their "home and work addresses to the PSNI".

"The amount of misinformation being spread over the last couple of months that local council is somehow now responsible for immigration policy is absolutely ridiculous," he added.

The PSNI said they were "contacting elected representatives to offer reassurance and crime prevention advice".

Political condemnation

Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes said: "The sinister threats issued by faceless thugs against elected members of Newry, Mourne and Down are an attack on democracy and on the mandate each of us as elected members receives from the public.

"Let me be crystal clear: these faceless individuals represent no one and they will not deter me or my party colleagues from carrying out our work, every day, representing our constituents.

"Despite bombs planted at our offices and chilling threats made through social media, Sinn Féin will continue to stand up for our people.

"I send solidarity to each of my elected colleagues across our constituencies. Let us stand as one against these deluded individuals."

Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has described the threats as "sinister"

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, who is an assembly member (MLA) for Newry and Armagh, said it was "shocking" to see a video of that nature.

"I think we all go into political life to try and make our communities better and to do well for people and no one should be faced with threats, particularly of this nature," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

She said people are democratically elected and that should be respected, adding that the police need to do what they can to ensure all elected representatives feel safe to do their job.

Diane Forsythe called the video "vile and cowardly"

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Diane Forsythe condemned the "sinister" video, which she described as "vile and cowardly".

"It is an attack on all who serve their communities, regardless of background or party. It seeks to drag Northern Ireland back to a dark past that the vast majority have rejected. Our children should not be seeing this on their newsfeeds."

She added that "unionist representatives in this area have faced years of sectarian abuse and intimidation".

"These masked men represent no one. They will not silence the democratic voice of the people of South Down. The DUP will continue to stand firm. We will serve without fear, and defend the right of everyone to participate in public life."

Alliance Party deputy leader Eóin Tennyson has condemned the threats

Alliance Party MLA Eóin Tennyson called the video "vile and reprehensible".

"Such threats have absolutely no place in our society and my solidarity is with every councillor and MLA who has been targeted.

"This is not just an attack on politicians, but on the people they serve and the democratic process itself. These faceless thugs do not speak for our community, and they will not succeed in dragging us backwards.

"Alliance will not be deterred from serving the people who elected us. The people of Newry, Mourne and Down reject violence and coercion, and our local team will continue to build a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone who calls the district home."