Racist and Sectarian Attacks

I support the motion and the amendment before the House. I am sure that we, as a body of elected representatives for the people of Northern Ireland, can unite in condemnation of the attacks witnessed off the Lisburn Road only two weeks ago. Such intimidation has no place in society and must be eradicated. The pictures and coverage that were beamed across the rest of the UK and beyond do not portray the desired image of Northern Ireland.

The media, the PSNI and others must also play their part. I note that Mr Kennedy has left the Chamber. Many of the problems have arisen in the communities in the Village area. Everyone, whether they be elected representatives, the media, the police or other folk involved in dealing with attacks and racism, must be extremely careful about how they are portrayed, because all too often matters can be blown out of proportion.

I want to ask the PSNI questions about some of the statements that were made by Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay.

There have been many incidents in the area. All of us need to be careful about how we deal with them because the problem is that the area that I represent has been labelled racist for no justifiable reason. Entire communities are being portrayed as unwelcoming: nothing could be further from the truth. As the honourable lady knows, many things are happening in schools in those communities to welcome and help people from all backgrounds. In fact, some of the schools, such as the primary school in Fane Street, are attended by children of many nationalities. That needs to be recognised.

Members have portrayed the attack on the Belfast City Church as racist, but the police have backed away from that stance. Three young men were arrested, and a report on two of them is going to the Public Prosecution Service. Two or three days after that attack, the police were keen to point out that they do not consider it to have been sectarian or racist. Once again, media across the world portrayed Northern Ireland as racist. Criminal damage takes place night after night in that area; it is a regular occurrence, and police resources are stretched to the very limit to deal with it. That is why we all need to be very careful about how the issue is portrayed: we need to be careful that we do not inflame the situation. We Members must get our facts right because within minutes of an attack, before a proper police investigation has taken place, people are keen to portray it as something that it turns out not to be. I urge all Members to be extremely careful in that respect.

I welcome the motion. All of us on this side of the House utterly condemn any attack in south Belfast. People from different ethnic backgrounds in south Belfast live in harmony with all their neighbours day and daily. I continue to appeal for calm in the area. I thank those who helped the victims of the attacks, especially those in the Belfast City Church who immediately provided help for the Roma community. Those of us who work in the area know that they have acted similarly on many occasions.

I support the motion and the amendment.