Sinn Féin MLA Maskey faces death threat

Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey is under a death threat from loyalists, it was revealed today.

Police passed on the warning about the Orange Volunteers, a shadowy splinter paramilitary group.

They have already threatened senior Sinn Féin politicians including president Gerry Adams.

Mr Maskey said: “I will not allow any threat to detract me from my work as an elected representative.

“I will continue to carry out my work on behalf of those citizens in south Belfast who elect me to represent them at the Assembly and will not be deterred from this important work by threats of any kind.”

Sinn Féin MLAs Gerry Kelly, Francie Molloy and Caitriona Ruane have also been menaced by the group in recent weeks.