'Mob' protests outside home of Justice Minister Naomi Long

Naomi Long said it "isn't legitimate protest to turn up at my home, disrupt my neighbours, my family"

Northern Ireland's Justice Minister Naomi Long has said a line was crossed after a "mob" turned up at her home on Wednesday evening.

Her husband, Belfast Alliance councillor Michael Long, said "about 40 people, some wearing masks, turned up at our house to protest".

It is believed the protest related to the housing of sex offenders in residential areas.

In a social media post, Mrs Long said: "It's bullying and intimidation. It's threatening and wholly unacceptable."

The police attended the incident and said they would now review footage to "consider if any potential offences have been committed".

In addition to her role as Stormont's justice minister, Mrs Long is also the leader of the Alliance Party.

She said she was open to debating issues, but added: "Turning up as a mob, some in masks, at my home just isn't on."

Her post said: "It isn't engagement and it isn't legitimate protest to turn up at my home, disrupt my neighbours, my family and place pressure on police."

Alliance to review personal security

Alliance Party deputy leader Eóin Tennyson said the Longs would not be "intimidated" by the mob but that they "shouldn't have to put up with it".

He told The Nolan Show that it was "completely unacceptable" and "hugely distressing".

"At the heart of this, politicians are humans too and any of us would be shaken by a mob turning up outside our home."

Tennyson added that the couple are "two of the most accessible politicians in Northern Ireland".

"They have never shied away from debate, they have never shied away from robust engagement, they have never shied away from being held to account," he said.

"But what is completely unacceptable is to seek to harass and intimate politicians in their homes, and that is exactly what happened last night."

Speaking later at Stormont, Tennyson described the incident as a "turning point".

He told reporters the Alliance party "will now be taking steps now to review the personal safety of all of our elected representatives".

Previous death threats

Belfast councillor Michael Long said "about 40 people, some wearing masks, turned up at our house to protest"

Writing on X, Mr Long said a police car "had to sit outside the house overnight in case of attack".

It is not the first time Alliance Party representatives have complained of intimidation.

In 2012, the party was targeted by loyalists after it supported a move to only display the union flag at Belfast City Hall on designated days.

Mrs Long received death threats over the issue, and later revealed she was being treated for skin cancer at the same time.

Two years later, her East Belfast constituency office was attacked with petrol bombs.

However, Mr Long said: "In 25 years, no one has protested at our house" until the incident on Wednesday night.

'Beyond belief'

Michelle O'Neill said attacks on MPs and councillors were "totally unacceptable"

Speaking at Stormont on Thursday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill, from Sinn Féin, said it had been "a dark week for democracy".

"What we have seen over last couple of days – whether it be a mob at a minister's house or an attack on a minister's office – attacks on MPs and councillors are totally unacceptable," she said.

O'Neill said she was "outraged that those in public life are facing this type of intimidation".

"For [people] to come to your home and attack you in your place of sanctuary is just beyond belief."

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said the incident had "completely crossed the line".

"It's not acceptable and this is something all of the parties can stand shoulder to shoulder on and say very clearly our solidarity is with Naomi Long."

Assembly 'united in soldarity'

The NI Assembly Speaker, Edwin Poots, condemned what happened, adding: "Whatever political differences there are in the Assembly, I know members across the House will be united in standing against such unacceptable behaviour and in solidarity with Naomi as a respected colleague and our justice minister."

Poots said he held a meeting with parties and other agencies, including the police, last month to discuss the abuse and intimidation of politicians.

"We are in a dangerous situation where politicians almost take abuse and intimidation as part of the job, but it should never be," a statement added.

"Naomi has been through much in her political career, and I know this will not dent her determination, but no politician should be subjected to what occurred last night and it is important that we all call that out."

Speaker Edwin Poots said the events that took place on Wednesday night "well cross the line"

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said he was "shocked and horrified" by the actions of the crowd.

"We live in a democracy. There are acceptable ways to express your opposition. Intimidation is not one of them."

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Claire Hanna said the party sends "sincere solidarity" to the Longs after the "disgraceful scenes".

"There will always be political disagreement, particularly in a place with as fraught a history as this, but to turn up outside a politician's home and try to intimidate them is sinister and entirely wrong," she added.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn called the incident "appalling and completely unacceptable".

"Showing up outside the home of an elected representative is not protesting, it is intimidation, and it is wrong."