The Alliance Party's deputy leader has hit out after clandestine images of him and his campaign team appeared on social media over the weekend. Mr Farry, who has served as the MP for North Down since 2019 called on other candidates running for the seat to condemn the behaviour.

The images and a video of Stephen Farry and his campaign team were taken from a distance and posted on multiple social media pages in the North Down area over the weekend.

During the 2019 campaign, Mr Farry was targeted in a leaflet campaign in the Bangor area linking the Alliance Party to the IRA and in 2020, he was one of a number of politicians to receive death threats from loyalist paramilitaries.

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Responding to the images, Stephen Farry described the incident as "rather sinister and pathetic".

"Pictures and videos of me and my colleagues clandestinely taken as we go out about our democratic business, and a toxic and politically biased Facebook page has been sharing them," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Such intimidation is an issue for the safety of me and my team, but it won’t deter us. I call on all fellow candidates in North Down to condemn such behaviour."

Stephen's party colleague and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down, Cllr Hannah Irwin added: "This Facebook page features huge amounts of toxic and politically-biased posts, more often than not attacking Stephen personally.

"We shouldn’t have to look over our shoulders when going about our business. I hope all political reps in North Down will condemn and distance themselves from this."

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