The MLA for South Belfast said: “With the Assembly in recess this week MLAs should be focusing directly on their constituents.
“I therefore find it interesting that Brenda Hale spent this time focussing on comments made three years ago until she found one to suit her own agenda.
“I don’t feel it is necessary to respond to Brenda Hale’s attack, I’ll let my track record as a campaigner against human trafficking speak for itself.”