Lennon abuse slammed by minister

Neil Lennon quit his international career due to a death threat

Sectarian abuse against Celtic player Neil Lennon has been condemned by the government in the House of Commons.

Vandals sprayed "You are a dead man Lennon" along with sectarian slogans outside his Glasgow home last week.

The 32-year-old Catholic quit as a Northern Ireland international in 2002 after a previous death threat.

In response to a question by Labour MP David Taylor, junior Northern Ireland minister Angela Smith said she "totally and utterly" condemned the attacks.

Premature end

Mr Taylor, the MP for Leicestershire NW, had said: "Football has the power to forge a link between divided communities and to combat the poison of sectarian bigotry."

However, he said sectarian abuse had led to the premature end of Mr Lennon's international career.

Ms Smith replied: "I totally and utterly condemn the attacks on Neil Lennon in Northern Ireland and in Glasgow."

The province had been deprived of a very talented international player, she added.

Agreeing that sport could unite people, she said the Irish Football Association had an officer dedicated to dealing with sectarian issues.

It was also bringing forward proposals on youth development work which Ms Smith was confident would address the situation.