Lyra McKee: Sister's video removed after criticism

Journalist Lyra McKee was murdered by the New IRA in Londonderry in April

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has taken down a video message recorded by Lyra McKee's sister urging politicians to get back to work.

Alliance leader Naomi Long criticised the NIO for what she described as an "appalling manipulation" of Lyra McKee's family's grief.

Nichola Corner, Ms McKee's sister, said she was devastated at criticism of the video.

The video was visible for seven hours during which it attracted 19,500 views.

Laws on abortion and same-sex marriage will change unless devolution is restored by 21 October.

• Journalist shot dead during Derry rioting

• 'Her commitment to truth was absolute'

Lyra McKee, a journalist, was shot dead by the New IRA while observing rioting in Londonderry in April.

She had previously spoken at an event hosted at Stormont about the challenges facing young gay people in Northern Ireland.

'Grievously distorted'

Ms Corner said she would not have taken part in the video if she could have foreseen the reaction.

"My intention was always good and in the interests of all the people of Northern Ireland," she said.

"I thought I was building on messages delivered previously, including the speech I gave on Sunday at the 1,000 days rally at Stormont.

"Given that my positive message seems to have been so grievously distorted, I have asked the NIO to take down my videoed message from Twitter."

The Alliance leader said the NIO posting a video from Ms McKee's sister, Nichola Corner, calling for a restoration of Stormont was "in very poor taste".

She said the government knows that would deny gay people and women their rights.

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In the video, Ms Corner argues that the politicians should bring back devolution because "they are the people who have the power to make bigger changes".

An accompanying message from the Northern Ireland Office describes Ms Corner's video message as "a heartfelt plea" and refers to the need to bring back the institutions "now".

'Shared in good faith'

However, a Northern Ireland Office spokesperson confirmed that they had subsequently decided to take the video down.

"Earlier today we published a video of Nichola Corner which was filmed yesterday," said a spokesperson.

"The video was not edited and was shared in good faith with Nichola's consent. Following the online reaction and in consultation with Nichola, we have taken the video down."

Objecting to the video, Naomi Long said Alliance was "ready to restore an Assembly & Executive capable of delivering equality and human rights for all of our people".

However, not all the reaction to the video was critical.

Ann Travers, whose sister, Mary, was killed by the IRA, described the response from Alliance to the video as "deeply hurtful".

Ms Travers said Ms Corner's requests that that politicians should get back to work is "a powerful message from an amazing lady and it is right that it is heard".

The DUP has opposed Westminster legislating over the head of NI ministers on abortion reform

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said it was urging the Stormont Assembly to be recalled in a last-ditch attempt to stop the reform of NI's abortion law.

The DUP has publicly opposed Westminster legislating over the head of local ministers on abortion reform.

However, some questioned the timing of the party's move.