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The owner of a scaffolding company has claimed he was forced out of a job in North Belfast after two 'threatening phone calls'.

Davey Brown, 53, has owned Db Scaffolding for the last 20 years.

The Carrickfergus man told Belfast Live that he was “doing a favour” for a contractor at a site in Ardoyne.

However, he said that when they started the job the contractor received two phone calls saying that Mr Brown and his staff should get off site.

He said: “We were basically told, you’re not welcome, you’re not from our community.

“A contractor asked us to do a favour because he couldn’t get anybody to do the job. I went up and met him there. I said that certainly, we’d do it. We have worked all over West Belfast , I’ve done the Ardoyne shops.

“At 9.45am I got call from the contractor and he said: ‘I’m sorry about this but you better get your men off site immediately’.

“He said: ‘I’ve had received two phone calls to tell you you better get the scaffolding stripped and back on that lorry and get out of here’.

“I asked if there were lives at risk and he said: ‘You’ve time to get packed up and get out of here and that’s all I’ve been told’.”

There was no indication who the threat came from.

Mr Brown added: “This has never happened before. We’ve worked in every area in Northern Ireland.

“I just can’t believe it’s still happening, I thought all this was finished and done with.”

DUP MLA William Humphrey described the incident as “appalling”.

"It is utterly appalling that anyone should be intimidated while carrying out their work. Those responsible for making these sectarian threats will be condemned by all right-thinking people.

"It is important that that condemnation is clear and unequivocal from across the political spectrum.

“He has worked in scaffolding in Northern Ireland for 20 years and this is the first time that he has had men intimidated off a job.

“I have forwarded his Facebook post to the PSNI who have confirmed that they are investigating this incident. Anyone with information which could assist this investigation is asked to contact Inspector Graham through the PSNI switchboard on 02890 650222.”

“Anyone with any information which may assist the PSNI with the investigation should contact Tennent Street Police Station.”

The PSNI has been contacted for comment.

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