NI ag minister receives death threat
Northern Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Enterprise and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir has received a death threat, that has been reported to the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Minister Muir said that a comment was posted during a Zoom call he was attending, which threatened to 'have (the minister) shot'.
The PSNI said it has received reports of threats, and has launched an investigation.
Minister Muir said: 'I'm disappointed to see some of the online comments posted in recent times, both in terms of myself and also officials.
'This does not reflect the vast majority of people in farming, I have been welcomed into many farmers' homes and I'm grateful for the warm and respectful welcome since I took up ministerial office.'
The minister also believes it is important to 'lower the tone' in wider public discourse on the draft Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) proposals.
He said: 'This is a public consultation – there's no need to issue death threats against me, nor make discriminatory comments about anyone.
'We have a critical challenge in terms of improving water quality in Lough Neagh, and also giving financial stability and certainty for farming here.
'That will not change via death threats or anything else. I have a job to do for the people of Northern Ireland and I will continue to do that,' the minister added.
Minister Andrew Muir
The deputy leader of the Alliance Party, Eóin Tennyson has described the death threat as 'deplorable and unacceptable'.
Tennyson said: 'I am proud of the leadership Andrew has offered on Lough Neagh and the protection of our environment. Whilst there must always be space for honest, open and robust political debate; there can be no place for intimidation or threat of violence.
'Threats against any politician are an attack on the democratic process.'
The chief superintendent of the PSNI, Stephen Murray said that the PSNI will do all it can to ensure that politicians are supported, and that they can undertake their role 'free from fear and intimidation'.
Murray said: 'It is totally unacceptable that anyone should face abuse or threats simply for carrying out the duties of their office. We will thoroughly investigate any such incident.
'We regularly engage with our elected representatives in order to provide information on personal safety, how the police service can support them and, crucially, when to report an incident to police.'
'We regularly engage with assembly and parliamentary officials, and the electoral commission, in regard to elected representative safety,' Murray added.
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The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
DUP minister says he won't resign amid backlash for 'reckless' post about Larne Leisure Centre
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Facebook Facebook Some politicians have said Lyons should be considering his position and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said it was not helpful to publicise where people had been moved. Benn said he felt Lyons 'might want to reflect on what he said'. Lyons was asked by the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme if he should still be in his job and replied: 'Absolutely.' He said: 'Let me set out the facts because it is clear that some don't know them. 'The leisure centre was used to temporarily house those who had been affected by the violence in Ballymena. Advertisement 'This had been confirmed yesterday publicly. It was in the public domain, it was on a news website and it had been confirmed by the council. 'My message was posted because rumours had been circulating that the leisure centre was to be turned into a permanent centre, the messages flying about that caravans were being brought into the car park there. 'A protest had already been planned at 7pm last evening. 'The PSNI was then in contact with one of our local councillors and they were keen that we highlight the fact that the leisure centre was no longer being used for this purpose, they wanted to stop the rumours that people were being permanently housed there and all of that was the catalyst for the protest. 'As a result of that, I posted a clarification that the centre had been used but that was temporary and was no longer being used for that purpose.' The Larne Leisure Centre after last night's violence. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Lyons said he believed it was right that public representatives should be consulted when emergency protocols are put in place. He said: 'I believe that information is key here so that rumours don't circulate around. 'I will very strongly hit back at any notion that I have revealed the use of this facility to the public when the protest was already planned, when everybody knew what was happening.' Benn said: 'If people have been forced out of their homes, they need to be taken to a place of safety and they need to be looked after because they will be traumatised and they will be frightened. 'I don't think it helps matters at all to publicise where they have been taken.' The SDLP's Matthew O'Toole, leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he would refer Lyons' social media post to the standards commissioner. The actions of the Communities Minister cannot be ignored. He is the Minister response for the Housing Executive and lives are at stake. Tomorrow the Opposition will refer him to the standards commissioner and explore all other options for accountability. — Matthew O'Toole (@MatthewOToole2) June 11, 2025 Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly said there had been a 'huge attack' in Larne. Related Reads Leisure centre in Larne set alight by rioters as violence extends beyond Ballymena PSNI seeks reinforcements from Britain as Starmer condemns 'mindless' Ballymena violence I went to talk to people in Ballymena, and was told to make myself 'scarce' or there'd be trouble He added: 'If I was the minister I would be considering my position. 'I think he should seriously consider his position. 'Highlighting the location of where immigrant families who had been burnt out were taken to a place of safety on social media was reckless and dangerous, and it certainly was a factor in that protest. 'The result we have had, the town has been attacked by a racist mob.' Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said Lyons' post was 'reckless and inflammatory'. He added: 'Leadership should show responsibility — not feed into the fear of the vulnerable.' 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Irish Independent
3 hours ago
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‘He is unfit for office': DUP minister to be reported over social media post before rioters targeted Larne Leisure Centre
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'On reflection the die had already been cast, I tried to diffuse the situation. 'I had appealed for calm in that statement as I wanted calm heads to prevail, that includes politicians using this to try and score points. 'I have been very clear, it was despicable scene we seen at the leisure centre and those people should be ashamed of themselves.' Mr Lyons condemned the damage inflicted on Larne Leisure Centre and said it only serves to hurt residents of the town. He said: 'The violence and disorder witnessed on our streets over recent nights serves no purpose. Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility. 'There is absolutely no excuse for what has taken place in Larne, and it must be condemned.' SDLP leader of the opposition, Matthew O'Toole, has said he will refer the minister to the Standards Commissioner. 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He added: 'No politician should be publicly identifying locations used to shelter to families seeking refuge from violent, racist disorder; even if only temporarily.' Communities Minister Gordon Lyons faces being referred to an Assembly watchdog over a social media post about a Larne Leisure Centre which was later attacked Police deal with a third night of violence in Ballymena Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, who chairs the Stormont committee that scrutinises Mr Lyons' department, called his media post 'reckless and inflammatory'. "At a time when vulnerable families are seeking safety, as minister for communities and housing, he should have been working to help those most in need,' he said. "However his comments were reckless and inflammatory. "Leadership should show responsibility — not feed into the fear of the vulnerable. "Everyone deserves to live free from violence and hate. "I will be raising the Minister's post at the Communities Committee today." 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Ballymena riots: Leisure centre attacked, petrol bombs thrown in third night of violence
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