Health Minister Robin Swann and his family were threatened in the messages sent over social media

This morning police confirmed that they have arrested a 26-year-old man in the Ballymena area on Sunday on suspicion of improper use of telecommunications causing anxiety.He was later released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland statement said: “The investigation is ongoing.”

The force added: “Police are investigating after threatening and offensive comments were made on a social media platform on Friday 3 April.”

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Two weeks ago, the News Letter reported that Mr Swann had been receiving hate mail and that abusive phone calls have been made, claiming that he has blood on his hands.

But on Friday the father of two young children received a message which threatened his family.

Mr Swann’s seven-year-old son Evan was born with a heart defect. He spent the first 13 months of his life in hospital and Mr Swann has spoken of his admiration for the National Health Service which twice saved his life with open heart surgery.

The profanity-strewn message which Mr Swann received on Friday has been seen by the News Letter.

It said: “You and your scummy bastarding government are f*****g useless c***s and I swear when this is all over il [sic] hunt you good for nothing rotten bastards down and il [sic] make you and your family suffer ya useless f*****g bastard. Time you British bastards left Ireland.”

Then he received a second message from the same account which endorsed the IRA with the words “Uppa ra [sic]”.

Speaking on the Nolan Show, where the messages were first reported this morning, Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken said that it was “an absolutely disgusting attack on someone who’s doing his best for Northern Ireland”.

He said that “Robin is a very robust character; he will deal with this effectively”, and added: “The fact it has sectarian overtones shows how important it is for all political leaders to come out right now and condemn this”.

At least one of the messages was received on Friday – the day after deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill used a prime time interview to take the unusual step of publicly criticisng Mr Swann’s response to the pandemic.

Ms O’Neill, who was Mr Swann’s predecessor as Health minister, said that he had been too slow to act and accused him of “slavishly following the Boris Johnson model”.

Sinn Féin has been arguing for Northern Ireland to follow the Republic of Ireland’s approach to the pandemic, but has insisted that is motivated not by political considerations but by Sinn Féin’s belief in the World Health Organisation’s advice about greater testing and a more widespread lockdown.

This morning Ms O’Neill tweeted to say: “The disgraceful abuse and threats against health minister Robin Swann are to be condemned.

“In very turbulent and challenging times there is no place for this nonsense as we work together to save lives. Solidarity to Robin and his family.”

First Minister Arlene Foster said: “This is vile and disgusting. Especially at a time when we are focused on protecting life and getting Northern Ireland through Covid-19.”

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: “Robin Swann is working night and day to reduce the impact of coronavirus on our communities.

“The vile sectarian abuse and threats that he and his family have been subjected to are disgusting and those responsible must be held accountable.”

TUV leader Jim Allister, who like Mr Swann is an MLA for North Antrim, said: “The sinister abuse of the Health Minister and threats against him and his family should be roundly condemned. Furthermore, they should give those in elected office who have used this crisis for political ends pause for thought.

“To abuse the Health Minister is bad enough. To bring his family into it shows just how low some people can sink.

“I welcome the fact that police have made an arrest and I hope those responsible are brought to justice.

“Speaking as a representative of a rival political party I think it is important to note that the vast majority of commentary I hear from members of the public is supportive of how Robin has performed thus far.”

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “The department can confirm that a threatening communication was received by the minister via social media. This matter has been passed to the police. The department will not be making any further comment.”

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