Ulster Unionist Leader, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, has condemned vicious threats made against Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA, following confirmation that a man in his 40s has been arrested in the Newtownards area this afternoon for ‘malicious comments’ made on social media.

Ulster Unionist Leader, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, said:

“The vicious threats of violence made against Robin Swann are absolutely despicable. The torrent of abuse and lies which Robin has had to put with from some anonymous trolls and others who should know better has been abhorrent. Nobody should have to put up with that. It`s long before time that Twitter and other social media platforms lived up to their responsibilities.

“The social media giants make huge profits, yet many users and organisations get away with using their platforms to poison public debate, peddle lies and threaten and harass people. A lot of people in public life have had to put up with online threats and attacks on their character which no-one would accept on the street, but in many cases social media companies have failed to act. They could start with banning anonymous accounts. If you are prepared to say something publicly, you should be prepared to put your name to it. If the social media giants aren`t prepared to act voluntarily, then Government needs to intervene.

“This isn`t the first time that Robin has had threats of physical violence made against him, but it should be the last. He took on a job which no-one else wanted and he has committed long days and nights making difficult decisions, working with his colleagues in the Department of Health and the NHS, to protect the public during a global pandemic, the likes of which we haven`t faced in 100 years. He has been verbally attacked, threats of physical violence made against him and his family, and attempts made to undermine his good character.

“I commend the PSNI who have acted swiftly to make an arrest. I hope that we will now see justice delivered so that a clear message is sent to those who use social media to abuse, threaten and intimidate those with whom they don`t agree, that it is not acceptable and that there will be consequences.”