Naomi Long: condemnation after masked "mob" turns up outside Justice Minister's home

Naomi Long has revealed that a mob, including masked men, showed up at her house in East Belfast last night (Wednesday).

The husband of Stormont's Justice Minister - Alliance Councillor Michael Long - said up to 40 people showed up "to protest."

The incident has been condemned from politicians across Northern Ireland.

Alliance Deputy Leader Eoin Tennyson said "it was a clear attempt to intimidate them out of public life." See interview on X below.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said on X: "Absolutely disgusting — turning up at someone’s home is intimidation, not protest. It is never acceptable. Sending support and solidarity to you and Michael.."

Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister, Emma Little Pengelly, said: "This is shocking. Absolutely unacceptable behaviour. Intimidation and harassment is always wrong, and particularly upsetting and frightening when it is at the personal address and home of that person.

"I offer my full support to Naomi and her family after this experience last night and in facing down this appalling behaviour and indeed any and all thuggery."

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP also expressed "solidarity with Naomi and Michael Long after a protest at their home."

The South Belfast and Mid Down MP said:

“The SDLP sends sincere solidarity to Naomi and Michael Long following the disgraceful scenes outside their home last night.

“The SDLP will always stand against those who seek to use violence or intimidation. There can be no place for it in our politics or our society.

“There will always be political disagreement, particularly in a place with as fraught a history as this, but to turn up outside a politician’s home and try to intimidate them is sinister and entirely wrong."

Ulster Leader Mike Nesbitt said, “I am shocked, horrified and depressed by the reports of a crowd gathering outside the home of the Alliance Leader, Naomi Long MLA, and her husband, Councillor Michael Long.

“We live in a democracy. In a democracy, you will see things you don’t like. You’ll hear things you don’t agree with. You’ll be upset by decisions politicians make.

“There are acceptable ways to express your opposition. Intimidation is not one of them. I hope the PSNI have gathered enough evidence to lead to prosecution.”

In a statement, the PSNI said: Police attended a protest outside a property in east Belfast on Wednesday evening, October 8th.

We have commenced an investigation. An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage and consider if any potential offences were committed."