Staff withdrawn from Larne and Belfast ports over ‘sinister behaviour’
An upsurge in “sinister and menacing behaviour” has led to staff being withdrawn from ports in Larne and Belfast over concerns for their safety.
Stormont’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) took the decision to suspend physical inspections of products of animal origin after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council withdrew its staff on Monday evening.
Graffiti has appeared referencing tensions around the Northern Ireland Protocol and described port staff as “targets”.
It comes amid anger from some over the Protocol, with a raft of new checks on goods arriving at ports from Great Britain introduced at the start of 2021.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said there was no evidence to suggest loyalist paramilitary groups were behind the threatening behaviour aimed at port staff.
Police believe disgruntled individuals or small groups were behind the incidents.
"We are aware of a single anonymous piece of information that has been circulating and that has caused real concern to staff and to their employers," he said.
"We were able to share with partners our assessment today that there is absolutely no information to substantiate or corroborate the claims made that paramilitary organisations are involved or behind threats or intimidation to staff at points of entry."
Mr McEwan said the last number of weeks had seen increased "tensions and discontent within the community in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
"We are concerned about the actions of a number of individuals and small groups.
"We don't believe that those actions are organised. But they do give us cause for concern."
Police patrols had been stepped up at Larne Port and other points of entry to reassure staff and the local community.
As well as the recent graffiti, it is understood staff expressed concerns that individuals had been spotted taking down their vehicle licence plate details.
According to DAERA, the situation will be kept under review and full documentary checks will be carried out as usual in the meantime.
In a statement, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots said: “In consultation with my staff, I have decided to withdraw staff from Belfast and Larne ports tonight.
“Their safety remains paramount.”
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council had 12 staff assisting DAERA officials and UK Border Force with checks at Larne Port.
They have been withdrawn and the council apologised for any disruption, but said the ongoing situation has caused “extreme distress and worry to staff”.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Peter Johnston said: “The health and well-being of our staff is always this council’s number one priority.
“And that is why the decision has been taken to withdraw them from their work at the Port with immediate effect until we have very real assurances and full confidence that they can go about their duties without fear, threat or concern for their well-being.”
Sinn Féin councillor James McKeown, the party’s leader on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, said: “Our staff will step away from this work and will only return when we are totally satisfied it is safe and right for them to do so.
“There are simmering tensions within the local community at present and we will not stand by and let our staff be targeted when they are just doing their jobs.”
DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley said he condemned the threats and that such tactics “have no place in a democracy”.
However, he added: “This is the sad reality of those who imposed terms on Northern Ireland without the consent of the delicate community balance which exists here.”
Mr Paisley also said: “It’s time for the Government to step up and invoke Article 16, set it aside and let’s get back to proper trade without restrictions.”
SDLP councillor Eugene Reid, who is also chair of Ballymena Chamber of Commerce, condemned the threats and urged political leaders to “take the poison out of dialogue” relating to the NI Protocol.
“After all the distance this society has travelled, we now have a new generation of young people threatened just for doing their jobs. It’s an indictment of how things stand,” he said.
“Over the course of the last number of days, political leaders have fallen far short of the standards we should expect.
“The language used and tone of the discussion relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol has raised tensions and whipped up fear.
“It should be the role of all leaders to extract the poison from public dialogue, and I’m challenging everyone to do that.”