Alliance North Down Westminster candidate Stephen Farry has said the party will not be deterred from the election campaign, after the appearance of a banner and distribution of more “sinister” leaflets.

The banner was erected in Clanmorris Square in Bangor overnight, while in East Belfast, leaflets again linking Alliance to the IRA were put through doors in Sydenham, Connswater and left at the Alliance East Belfast office on the Upper Newtownards Road.

“This election campaign continues to be to be defined by smears, defamation, personal attacks and simply put, complete and utter lies,” said Dr Farry.

“These leaflets were first distributed in Bangor last week and are now being put through doors in East Belfast, alongside a banner which has now appeared in Bangor. It is clear those behind it are only interested in the us and them politics of the past, while trying to damage the prospects of Alliance and others by making malicious statements about our policies and character, while not realising they are entirely counterproductive to their aims.

“Alliance will not be intimidated by the paramilitary thugs behind these actions and again, I call on all parties to both condemn and distance themselves from the banners and leaflets, and the lies they contain.

“They have been reported to the Electoral Commission and police, and I urge anyone with information on those printed or distributing them to pass it to the PSNI immediately.”