Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie MC, has condemned a threat that has been made by the UDA against a local journalist.
Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“Reports that a Northern Ireland journalist has been threatened by members of the UDA should and must be condemned by all right minded people.
“As we prepare to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, there is no doubt that the UDA should have gone a long time ago along with all other paramilitary groups. Sadly, the reality is - although many are attempting to transition from conflict to peace – that there remains a hard core criminal element within the UDA that is engaged in extortion, drug dealing and multiple criminal activities.
“The existence of the UDA allows this.
“The press should be free to go about their work without the threat of violence. If you disagree with an opinion then you should argue your case with facts, challenge any inaccuracies with the truth, and make your point in a peaceful and logical way with the only force being the force of reason.
“As a politician I should, do, and will continue to, engage with those paramilitary elements in Northern Ireland who wish to transition and move to purely peaceful and lawful activity. It is right to view them as part of the problem but to move forward they also need to be part of the solution.
“The UDA is an illegal organisation and the Ulster Unionist Party will continue to support the ‘Paramilitary Task Force’ and the action plan for dealing with ‘Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime’ which we called for in 2015.”