Political leaders condemn poster threats aimed at prison officers and PSNI

The leaders of several Northern Ireland political parties have released a joint statement opposing intimidation of prison officers and the PSNI.

The statement was made in response to a video on social media showing Northern Ireland Prison Service recruitment posters being removed from a bus stop in Derry by members of a republican group.

The video also shows posters opposing the PSNI being put up.

The joint statement was released by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie and Colum Eastwood, leader of the SDLP.

It said: “We are aware of video footage showing individuals removing prison service recruitment advertisements and posting anti-PSNI posters.

“We offer our full support to all those working within these services, and to the recruitment process under way within the Prison Service.

“There can be no place for those who engage in threats or intimidation towards those who serve the community as prison officers or within the PSNI.

“Those engaging in such tactics do not speak for the people who we represent as political leaders.

“We encourage everyone in our society to consider the PSNI and the NI Prison Service as valuable career opportunities.”

Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill’s name does not appear on the joint statement from the party leaders; the DUP’s justice spokesperson has criticised the party for not issuing an “unambiguous” message.

However, last week Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly released a statement condemning the destruction of posters.

Mr Kelly said: “The destruction of prison service posters in Derry, or political posters on bonfires, is absolutely wrong.

“Everyone should be able to carry out their work free from intimidation and harassment.”

DUP justice spokesperson Joanne Bunting said that Sinn Fein has “yet to offer a clear reason” why Ms O’Neill did not sign the statement along with the other party leaders.

She added: “In all comments since then, the party has focused on the actions of those who took down posters and condemning intimidation of police and prison service staff.

“Those were clearly condemned by all other party leaders within the joint statement, but it went further to encourage people from all parts of the community to consider both the Prison Service and the PSNI as valuable career opportunities.

“By a process of elimination, it leaves a significant question whether Sinn Fein has a problem in offering such encouragement.

“In 2020, Michelle O’Neill had her picture taken at the launch of a PSNI recruitment event. Has she now reneged from that position whilst at the same time claiming to be a first minister for everyone?

“There is a current recruitment process under way within the Prison Service. It should be an easy question for Sinn Fein now to answer – do they offer their full encouragement for people from all parts of the community to participate in that recruitment process?”

She said: “Sinn Fein needs to demonstrate if it is capable of offering that leadership or to spell out exactly which part of the joint statement they could not sign up to.”