Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said there is no place in today’s society for thugs who seek to terrorise communities.

The East Antrim MLA was speaking after his colleague Stephen Farry MP was warned loyalist paramilitaries had issued a threat against his life – along with Patsy McGlone MLA, Doug Beattie MLA and Steve Aiken MLA.

Mr Dickson said: “It is absolutely disgusting that those who spoke up for Journalists to be able to report free from intimidation would themselves become victims of sinister threats.

“We are facing a global pandemic, with people across all walks of life pulling together to get each other through it, and yet there are still some who remain focused on driving division and hatred firmly into our society.

“I stand with Stephen Farry, Patsy McGlone, Doug Beattie and Steve Aiken. We must have zero tolerance for the thugs determined to scare and intimidate, eradicating paramilitarism from our society for good.”