City MLA warned of racist threat

Anna Lo said she had received hate mail in recent weeks

Northern Ireland's only assembly member from an ethnic minority said she has been notified of a serious threat.

In the assembly on Monday Alliance MLA Anna Lo said police warned her at the weekend that her home may be attacked.

Ms Lo, originally from Hong Kong, has lived in Belfast for over 30 years and represents a constituency in the south of the city.

Earlier this month attacks on the Romanian community in the area forced more than 100 people from their homes.

Ms Lo said she had received some hate mail in recent weeks and will step up her security following an anonymous call to the PSNI on Saturday.

"I'm not going to be deterred by these people," she said.

"If they think that they can stop me from speaking out against them or speaking for the vulnerable people, new ethnic minority communities or migrant workers they are mistaken."

Ms Lo said she understood that a number of ethnic minority organisations had received a "threatening letter".

"I would say to them to co-operate with the police, and I'm sure they will," said the MLA.

'Carry on'

"I also advise them to step up their security, but I would also call on them to carry on.

"They're doing a very good job in supporting their communities, and they really need this support now."

A police spokeswoman said: "We do not discuss the security of individuals.

"However, if we receive information that a person's life may be at risk we will inform them accordingly. We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk."