Police launch investigation after Northern Ireland's agriculture minister says he received a death threat
Speaking about threats against those in public office, Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray said it is 'totally unacceptable' for elected representatives to face abuse or threats for doing their job.
Last week Mr Muir told the Assembly that he and officials in his department had been the target of 'vile' homophobic, racist and misogynistic comments on social media over his department's proposed Nutrients Action Programme (NAP).
However, speaking today the minister said that the situation had 'taken a disturbing turn' in recent days after he received a death threat.
It comes during heated opposition from the farming community to Mr Muir's NAP proposals which are currently out for consultation.
Mr Muir has been urged to scrap the proposals which are aimed at improving water quality and the wider environment by reducing and preventing pollution caused or induced by nutrients from agricultural sources.
Opponents say the proposals could devastate agriculture, reduce livestock numbers and undermine food security.
In a statement on Monday Mr Muir revealed details of the threat which he said did 'not reflect the farming community in Northern Ireland'.
'I'm disappointed to see some of the online comments posted in recent times, both in terms of myself and also officials,' Mr Muir said.
"This does not reflect the vast majority of people in farming, I have been welcomed into many farmers' homes and I'm grateful for the warm and respectful welcome since I took up Ministerial office.
'Online commentary sadly took a disturbing turn last week when someone posted a comment during a Zoom call which threatened to have me shot.
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'That has been reported to police, who are taking it seriously. It is important people lower the tone in wider public discourse on the draft NAP proposals.
'This is a public consultation - there's no need to issue death threats against me, nor make discriminatory comments about anyone.
'We have a critical challenge in terms of improving water quality in Lough Neagh, and also giving financial stability and certainty for farming here. That will not change via death threats or anything else. I have a job to do for the people of Northern Ireland and I will continue to do that.'
A spokesperson for the PSNI confirmed that an investigation had been launched adding that any reports of abuse, harassment or criminality directed at elected representatives would be thoroughly investigated.
Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray added: 'It is totally unacceptable that anyone should face abuse or threats simply for carrying out the duties of their office. We will thoroughly investigate any such incident.
'We will continue to do all we can to ensure that all of our politicians are supported, and that they can undertake their role free from fear and intimidation.
'We regularly engage with our elected representatives in order to provide information on personal safety, how the Police Service can support them and, crucially, when to report an incident to police.
'We regularly engage with Assembly and Parliamentary officials, and the Electoral Commission, in regard to elected representative safety.'
The Department for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs said: ''The Department can confirm that, last week, it received a report of a threatening comment made against Minister Muir. The matter was reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland for investigation. Due to the ongoing investigation the Department cannot comment further.'
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