Thursday, December 19, 2024

‘Shots fired’ at DUP candidate Sammy Wilson’s office in Northern Ireland

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A “number of shots” were fired at DUP candidate Sammy Wilson’s office in Northern Ireland, he has said.

Mr Wilson, who is standing to retain his Westminster seat in East Antrim, said the incident happened during the night on Tuesday.

His office in Lancasterian Street, Carrickfergus, had damage to the window, with two round cracks in it.

Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed they are investigating a report “of criminal damage”.

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Mr Wilson said: “This was a senseless attack on an office that serves the people of East Antrim.

“Whilst we do not know what sort of weapon was used in the attack it could have caused injury to anyone who happened to be in the area at the time.

“Throughout my years as a public representative, I have never been deterred from putting forward my views and I won’t be deterred now.”

Over the weekend, Labour candidate Stella Creasy’s office in Walthamstow, northeast London, was attacked and “malicious and false leaflets” were circulated.

She vowed to not be “cowed or influenced” by the violence and said whoever made several holes in the glass of her office’s door and window does not “intimidate me and you don’t belong in the political process”.

Image:
Stella Creasy’s office in Walthamstow was targeted on Saturday night. Pic: X/Stella Creasy

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Regarding Mr Wilson’s office, District Commander Superintendent Ian McCormick said: “Police received a report shortly after 9.30am today, Wednesday 26 June, that damage had been caused to the windows and doors of the premises at some time overnight.

“Officers remain at the scene as part of our investigation to establish the circumstances around this incident.

“As part of our enquiries, we are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area overnight and saw anything suspicious, or who may have CCTV, dashcam or other video footage.”

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He said it was “unacceptable” for candidates or those canvassing to be the subject of abuse.

Anybody with information can call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The other candidates in East Antrim are:

Mark Bailey, Green Party
Danny Donnelly, Alliance
Margaret Anne McKillop, SDLP
Oliver McMullan, Sinn Fein
John Stewart, UUP
Matthew Warwick, TUV

The other candidates standing in Walthamstow are:

Imran Arshad, Workers Party of Britain
Mohammed Ashfaq, Independent
Dan Edelstyn, Independent
Sanjana Madan Mohan Karnani, Conservative Party
Martin Lonergan, Reform UK
Ruth Theresa Rawlins, Independent
Rosalinda Ayo Rowlands, Green Party
Nancy Taaffe, Trade Union and Socialist Coalition
Rebecca Taylor, Liberal Democrats

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