To ask the CC for his assessment of the recent attacks on the offices and homes of elected representatives.
Answer
I would condemn any such attack. Elected representatives must be allowed to fulfil their important duties without intimidation from any quarter.
Detectives are investigating a number of criminal offences targeting the offices or homes of elected representatives. These include incidents of graffiti, throwing fireworks, hoax bomb calls and threats received anonymously.
Where an elected representative is subject to a threat on their life, the threat is assessed and managed in line with the Police Service of Northern Ireland procedure for managing threats to life.
There are a number of ongoing criminal investigations. We assess that these offences are motivated by a range of political and personal factors. Whilst individual offenders may be involved in more than one incident, there is no indication of organised crime or paramilitary involvement.
Dolores Kelly - SDLP