Campaign Launches To Highlight Disabled Hate Crimes

Police have launched a campaigned highlighting disability hate crimes.

Alliance Justice spokesperson Trevor Lunn has said that hate crimes must not be tolerated.

He said: "Hate crime, in all its forms, must not be tolerated by any normal society.

"I welcome this new PSNI campaign highlighting the crimes committed against people with disabilities. It is incredible to hear how some people with disabilities are forced to live in darkness, rather than let their tormentors know they are at home.

"Everyone in our community has a role to play in speaking out against hate crime. The bullies must be clearly told that there is zero tolerance for their actions."

Work To Start On £125,000 Scheme In Co Antrim

Work on a £125,000 improvement project in Tandragee, Co Armagh, is to begin on Monday, 12 September.

Resurfacing will take place on approximately 750 metres of the Markethill Road between the Derryhale Road and Cornascriebe.

Work is expected to be completed by Friday, 23 September.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "This is a significant investment in the Tandragee and Armagh area. The work will greatly enhance the road surface and will serve the local community and visitors to the area for many years to come."

UUP Delegation Visits NATO Headquarters

A delegation of representatives from the Ulster Unionist Party has visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels for a series of briefings and discussions.

The delegation included Tom Elliott MP, Steve Aiken OBE MLA and Philip Smith MLA.

Commenting after the visit Fermanagh & South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott said:

"NATO, with its core principle of collective defence plays a key stabilising role in what is an uncertain world. Unlike Jeremy Corbyn the Ulster Unionist Party fully recognises the need for a strong and effective NATO military alliance and understands the value of the UK working in partnership with our allies to counteract global threats.

"The briefings we received gave an overview of the evolving security environment and NATO's response to various challenges. Russia's ongoing illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea continues to destabilise the region, we therefore welcomed the opportunity to learn more about NATO's commitment to bolster deterrence and defence in the east. This commitment includes the plan to deploy four multi-national battalions to the three Baltic States and Poland from early next year - the UK will be leading the NATO presence in Estonia as part of this initiative.

"Instability in the Middle East and North Africa, the refugee and migrant crises and the threat posed by Daesh present significant additional challenges that also require the long-term commitment of resources.

"The ability of NATO to undertake operations and missions is however dependent on a sustained investment in defence by its members, I welcome that since becoming Prime Minister Theresa May has reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to meet the target of spending 2% of GDP on the defence budget. It is vital that all of NATO's members meet this obligation if the burden of the alliance's activities is to be fairly shared between them. The Ulster Unionist Party also recognises that this investment in equipment and personnel must be strategic in nature and appropriate for addressing both current and future challenges."

(CD)