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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Anna Lo: NI politician to 'quit politics' due to racist abuse | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A Northern Ireland politician has said she is to quit politics due to ongoing racist abuse. | |
| Alliance Party member Anna Lo told The Guardian newspaper she would not seek re-election to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2016. | |
| Earlier, she told the BBC that she was considering leaving NI following comments from a north Belfast pastor who said he did not trust Muslims. | |
| First Minister Peter Robinson defended the pastor on Wednesday. | First Minister Peter Robinson defended the pastor on Wednesday. |
| Ms Lo said: "Anymore of this talk and I would leave this country." | Ms Lo said: "Anymore of this talk and I would leave this country." |
| Pastor James McConnell described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", and was supported by Mr Robinson. | Pastor James McConnell described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", and was supported by Mr Robinson. |
| Ms Lo said she was "very angry" at the support given to Mr McConnell. | Ms Lo said she was "very angry" at the support given to Mr McConnell. |
| She said: "I do not feel safe here and I know many people who feel the same." | She said: "I do not feel safe here and I know many people who feel the same." |
| Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show, she said she is considering leaving the country "because of what might happen" after what Mr Robinson had said, as the comments could "escalate even more of the racist tension". | Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show, she said she is considering leaving the country "because of what might happen" after what Mr Robinson had said, as the comments could "escalate even more of the racist tension". |
| 'Hate crime' investigation | 'Hate crime' investigation |
| "I love this country and I chose to live here. I am just appalled our political leaders are coming out and making such comments." | "I love this country and I chose to live here. I am just appalled our political leaders are coming out and making such comments." |
| She called on Mr Robinson and Pastor McConnell to apologise for what they said. | She called on Mr Robinson and Pastor McConnell to apologise for what they said. |
| Police said they were investigating "a hate crime motive" after complaints about Mr McConnell's initial remarks, made during an address at Belfast's Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church. | Police said they were investigating "a hate crime motive" after complaints about Mr McConnell's initial remarks, made during an address at Belfast's Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church. |
| Mr McConnell told his congregation on 18 May "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain". | Mr McConnell told his congregation on 18 May "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain". |
| "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell," he said. | "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell," he said. |
| However, on Wednesday night, Mr McConnell said police had not spoken to him. | However, on Wednesday night, Mr McConnell said police had not spoken to him. |
| A police spokesman said on Thursday: "No arrests have been made. Inquiries are continuing." | A police spokesman said on Thursday: "No arrests have been made. Inquiries are continuing." |
| On Wednesday in an interview with the Irish News, Mr Robinson defended Pastor McConnell and said "there isn't an ounce of hatred in his bones". | On Wednesday in an interview with the Irish News, Mr Robinson defended Pastor McConnell and said "there isn't an ounce of hatred in his bones". |
| Mr Robinson went on to say he would not trust Muslims either, particularly with regard to those who had been involved in violence, or those who are "fully devoted to Sharia law, I wouldn't trust them for spiritual guidance". | Mr Robinson went on to say he would not trust Muslims either, particularly with regard to those who had been involved in violence, or those who are "fully devoted to Sharia law, I wouldn't trust them for spiritual guidance". |
| However, Mr Robinson said he would trust Muslims to "go down to the shops" for him or to deal with a number of other "day to day issues". | However, Mr Robinson said he would trust Muslims to "go down to the shops" for him or to deal with a number of other "day to day issues". |