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Anna Lo: NI politician to 'quit politics' due to racist abuse Anna Lo to quit NI politics over disillusionment
(about 2 hours later)
A Northern Ireland politician has said she is to quit politics due to ongoing racist abuse. Anna Lo of the Alliance Party has said she will not seek re-election to the Northern Ireland Assembly because she is disillusioned with politics.
Alliance Party member Anna Lo told the Guardian newspaper she would not seek re-election to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2016. Ms Lo told the Guardian newspaper that continual racist abuse directed at her by loyalists influenced her decision.
On Thursday afternoon, an Alliance Party spokesperson said that Ms Lo had already been considering retirement after the next election for some time. She told the BBC she was considering leaving Northern Ireland following comments from a north Belfast pastor who said he did not trust Muslims.
He said that recent events had helped her make the decision. DUP leader Peter Robinson said remarks he made in support were misinterpreted.
Earlier, Ms Lo told the BBC that she was considering leaving Northern Ireland following comments from a north Belfast pastor who said he did not trust Muslims. 'Not safe'
First Minister Peter Robinson defended the pastor on Wednesday. North Belfast Pastor James McConnell had described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic".
Ms Lo said: "Any more of this talk and I would leave this country."
Pastor James McConnell described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", and was supported by Mr Robinson.
Ms Lo, who was the UK's first ever parliamentarian from the Chinese community, said she was "very angry" at the support given to Mr McConnell.Ms Lo, who was the UK's first ever parliamentarian from the Chinese community, 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
"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.
On Thursday, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: "Just spoke to Anna Lo to offer my support and solidarity. She and our Muslim community are much valued members of our society." 'Vulnerable'
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Ivan Lewis tweeted: "Anna Lo's disturbing announcement and Pastor McConnell's Islamophobic remarks should be a wakeup call to those who care about NI's future. Later on Thursday, an Alliance Party spokesperson said that Ms Lo had already been considering retirement after the next election for some time, but recent events had helped her make the decision.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he had told Ms Lo on Thursday "that she and our Muslim community are much-valued members of our society".
"Anna Lo's remarks earlier today are an indication of the deep affect on our ethnic minority communities, on an individual and collective level, of the recent comments in support of Pastor James McConnell by some unionists," said the Sinn Féin assembly member.
"The executive and political leaders need to stand shoulder to shoulder with all those who have been victims of racist intimidation and attacks.
"It's imperative that all of us in positions of responsibility are unambivalent in our stance against prejudice, bigotry, racism and intolerance."
Alliance Party East Belfast MP Naomi Long said: "The fact that she feels so vulnerable and so let down by her first minister is something that he needs to address quickly."
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Ivan Lewis said on Twitter: "Anna Lo's disturbing announcement and Pastor McConnell's Islamophobic remarks should be a wakeup call to those who care about NI's future.
"Irrespective of political affiliation, that Anna feels she must leave public life is sad and a backward step for society and politics.""Irrespective of political affiliation, that Anna feels she must leave public life is sad and a backward step for society and politics."
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's remarks were condemned by Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore, who were meeting in Dublin to discuss the political situation in Northern Ireland.
Mr McConnell told his congregation on 18 May "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain". Ms Villiers added that she noted that Mr Robinson had sought to clarify his own remarks.
"Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell," he said. They said there was a window of time between now and the annual 12 July Orange Order marches to make progress on the past, parades and flags - a period that coincided with Mr Gilmore's remaining time as minister, following his resignation earlier this week.
However, on Wednesday night, Mr McConnell said police had not spoken to him. Ms Villiers said they would do all they could to make progress.
A police spokesman said on Thursday: "No arrests have been made. Inquiries are continuing." Mr Gilmore said "considerable work has been done" but it was time for political parties to take responsibility and act in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.
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". He added it was important that the decisions of the Parades Commission were respected.
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".