Security: Northern Ireland
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what most recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn
I refer the Hon Member to my answer to the Urgent Question on 10 June about the recent disorder in Northern Ireland. The scenes which we saw of people being burned out of their homes because of the colour of their skin are chilling and have no place in Northern Ireland. The attacks on police officers and fire and rescue workers as they worked to keep people safe, and on property are wholly unacceptable. I pay tribute to them because they put themselves in the way of harm in order to keep others safe.
The Northern Ireland Related Terrorism (NIRT) threat level remains SUBSTANTIAL which means an attack is likely. The PSNI and UK security agencies continually assess the threat, risk and harm posed by paramilitary, terrorist and organised crime groups to inform the most appropriate operational response.
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