THERE has been widespread condemnation of a threat to Ulster Unionist Doug Beattie by the South East Antrim UDA - the second time he has been threatened by the group his year.
Police informed the former British soldier, who represents Upper Bann in the assembly, of the threat yesterday.
The breakaway faction of the UDA is heavily involved in criminality and drug dealing.
Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken said the latest threat to his party colleague's life was "absolutely reprehensible".
"That any criminal organisation thinks that it can interfere with the process of democracy is unbelievable, but for a public representative like Doug who has steadfastly stood up to violence and intimidation from all sectors across the globe, just underlines what a disgrace they are," he said.
"The PSNI should take resolute action in dealing with this threat and we should make sure that it has every available legal tool available to dismantle this criminal gang."
In May Mr Aiken and Mr Beattie, along with the SDLP's Patsy McGlone and Alliance's Stephen Farry, received threats from the Carrickfergus faction of the UDA.
It came after the four politicians had condemned threats made to Sunday World and Sunday Life journalists.
