Reports nurses advised to show ID to masked men 'vile and disgusting' - O'Neill

Reports nurses told by police to show ID to masked men during trouble - O'Neill

37 minutes ago

The First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, has described reports that police instructed some nurses from a minority background to show their ID to masked men before accessing their work place as "disgusting".

BBC News NI has contacted the police for a response to the first minister's comments.

'Must be serious investigation'

Many of the protests passed peacefully but elsewhere there were people who engaged in racist violence.

International healthcare workers have told BBC News NI they faced intimidation and some feared for their safety.

Speaking at Stormont, O'Neill said Nesbitt was also aware of the reports of nurses being told to show ID and she now plans to raise the matter with Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.

She said that if any health care worker was advised by police to show ID to masked men it was "vile and disgusting" and there must be a "serious investigation".

"No nurse or person going into their workplace should have to stop at any mob and give their ID - that's absolutely disgraceful."

"I think we have to get to the bottom of whether or not that did happen," O'Neill said.

"I put it directly to the chief constable who in the first instance dismissed it but then when I went back to him again he had to take on board that actually, both myself and the health minister were told this by members of staff," she added.

In a statement on Monday morning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it had received reports of vehicles being stopped by masked individuals in the greater Belfast area.

"Officers responded immediately and a significant mobile policing presence was maintained for a period of time to provide reassurance and prevent the commission of offences," it said.