A Belfast SDLP councillor has vowed he will “not be deterred” from his work following a reported threat identifying him as a “legitimate target”.
The latest sinister threat to elected representatives in the north is against Séamas de Faoite, who revealed he was advised of it on Wednesday before alerting police.
It has been condemned by SDLP leader Claire Hanna, who warned there must be a “real lowering of the temperature around politics”.
The threat against the east Belfast rep follows a video released earlier this week showing a group of masked men claiming to be republicans describing politicians in the Newry, Mourne and Down area as “legitimate targets”.
However, it is understood the threat against Mr de Faoite, who represents the Lisnasharragh area on Belfast City Council, has been made by loyalist elements linked to vigilante mobs that have formed to target and intimidate ethnic minorities.
The councillor learned of the threat a day after protestors clashed with police at Belfast City Hall following the removal of a Palestinian flag from the top of the building.
The flag flew from midnight to 4.30pm on Tuesday, after councillors voted last month on its display, and ratified the decision at Monday’s monthly meeting.
In a post to the X social media platform on Wednesday, Mr de Faoite wrote: “Earlier, a threat identifying me as a ‘legitimate target’ was brought to my attention, separate to threats issued this week to colleagues in Newry, Mourne & Down.
“I’ve just left Musgrave St Police Station after reporting details. I won’t be deterred from working for Belfast.”
Speaking to the Irish News, the councillor said threats against local politicians were overshadowing the work they carry out for communities.
“When you look at Monday night’s meeting, there are lots of very positive things that councillors have been working on,” he said.
“This is the stuff that makes Belfast move and tick over.
“This city isn’t perfect, but there is a significant amount of work going on to make things better, and these are the kind of things we are working on on a daily basis.”
He added: “I’m certainly not going to be deterred from that work.”
His party leader Claire Hanna said: “This threat against Councillor de Faoite is the latest in a number of threats issued against public representatives this week.
“Any intimidation or threat of violence is wrong, no matter where it comes from. We live in a democracy and people should be able to represent their communities without threat, or to disagree politically without resorting to violence.
“There needs to be a real lowering of the temperature around politics at the moment. We are seeing usual suspects, with no history of delivery positively for the communities they claim to speak for, deliberately stirring up tensions to serve their own ends.”
She added: “We need leadership from all parties to call out these threats unequivocally and to stand together in defence of public representatives of all persuasions.”
The PSNI said officers “received a report of threats made to an individual and are making enquiries”.
A spokesperson added: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland condemns and will thoroughly investigate any reports of abuse, harassment or criminality directed towards our elected representatives.”