Cllr Alan Lewis (DUP) rejects the letter circulating online calling on the forced removal of foreign Islamic nationals and ‘Irish nationalists’ from the Clough area
A letter circulating online has caused great consternation in the South Down area.
The letter says that anyone wearing or displaying republican or nationalist symbols or branding may be targeted including GAA supporters. It rejects nationalism outright and further attacks those of an Islamic background.
The letter says that attacks will be carried out to the vehicle or private property if it is referred to the body circulating the letter, and is “noted” adding “Extreme lengths will be taken when called for.”
Slieve Croob DUP Councillor Alan Lewis said: “It was brought to my attention that an anonymous and threatening letter circulating online designed to intimidate, makes reference to me and asks members of the local community to make contact with me.
“I wish to make clear that this disgraceful correspondence has nothing whatsoever to do with me.
“I was unaware of its circulation when it was brought to my attention. I totally reject its contents and make clear my rejection of it.
“From 5pm on Tuesday evening 24th February I started receiving numerous calls from individuals claiming they had seen a copy of this letter. I asked each of them to do two things:
“1. Report the matter to police immediately, quoting crime reference number 1192/24/02/26.
“2. Provide the physical letter to police for forensic examination.
” To date, nobody has been able to produce one.
“I have referred this matter to the PSNI. Threats and intimidation can play no part in the democratic process in our society.
“As a local Slieve Croob Councillor I am always available to work for all my constituents and to help everyone with the issues of concern to them.
“Anyone with information on those responsible should contact the PSNI.
This deeply concerning turn of events of a letter calling for foreign nationals to be removed from this area with undertones of violence is unacceptable as is the deliberate targeting of ‘nationalist’ culture and associated branding.
Political parties across the board have rejected those right-wing extremists responsible for circulating the letter.
With further likely hard times ahead due to the war in the Middle East, circumstances may in the short-term put pressure on people in NI and in the UK as prices rise sharply. And in the longer-term there will likely be another wave on refugees and migrants moving across Europe.
These two factors play into the agenda of the far right. While we maintain economic and social stability in our own society, we must balance this with humanitarian needs. It is the responsibility of properly elected and democratically mandated politicians in Northern Ireland and the UK to maintain this difficult balance, not the job of far right activists to interfere with the political agenda.
There is never-the-less a growing support for the right-wing, anti-immigration lobby due to the many frustrations that local people experience, many of who have nothing to do with ‘ nationalism’, Islam or foreign migrant workers and nationals.
This support to the right relies heavily on scapegoating of these groups epitomised by the rise of Reform in UK politics led by Nigel Farage.
But the group that circulated the letter have flagged up two key issues in any case that many people are aware of in the wider society we live in, and efforts must constantly be made to find solutions that are acceptable to all concerned in the interest of good community relations.
‘No democracy is perfect, but some are more perfect than others.‘
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The Letter In Question:
