Loyalist death threat to Kelly

Gerry Kelly received a death threat from loyalists today.

The Sinn Féin junior minister and north Belfast MLA said the Orange Volunteer warning would not deter him or his party from continuing to represent the electorate.

He said: “As a republican activist, threats against me are nothing new. Sinn Féin is committed to working to secure our Republican objectives while continuing to embed the peace and political processes.

“Be certain that no threats, regardless of which group they emanate from, will deter us from working on behalf of the people.”

The Orange Volunteers emerged during the 1998 Drumcree dispute. The group is made up of dissident loyalists who disapprove of the peace process.

The threat was handed to Mr Kelly’s north Belfast constituency office.

He is a junior minister at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and is responsible for issues such as helping children.