Michael Gove's address daubed on boards in south Belfast's Sandy Row along with sinister message: 'We never forget'

DUP MLA Christopher Stalford said those responsible for spraying the Cabinet Office minister’s name, address and a threatening message should be ashamed.

“Regardless of one’s views on the Protocol there is absolutely no place for threats of violence against any person,” said the South Belfast MLA, who has an office in the area.

“This is totally wrong.

“In a democracy we resolve our disputes through the ballot box, we don’t resort to threats sprayed on walls. There’s no place for this and the people responsible should be ashamed of themselves.”

It comes amid rising tensions over the NI Protocol, designed to avoid a hard border in Ireland by having Northern Ireland continue to follow EU trade rules, thus creating a de facto border in the Irish Sea.

The PSNI has said it is aware of the graffiti and are investigating.

MP for the area Claire Hanna also condemned the graffiti, adding that the vast majority of people want no part in “grisly politics and threats on gable walls”.

“As anticipated, Brexit has brought us to a very difficult place but we are where we are and have to make the best of it and whatever your view on that issue, no politician should face this,” she told Mail Online.

Mr Gove had been involved in the Brexit talks and negotiations and he co-chairs the EU-UK Joint Committee.

The Met Police has said it would not comment on matters of personal security when asked by the media in relation to the matter.

Meanwhile, a PSNI spokesperson said: "At 8:35am on Tuesday police officers on patrol in south Belfast came across criminal damage at the junction of Sandy Row and Boyne Court where graffiti was sprayed on a wall.

"Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, and quote reference number 311 of 02/03/21."

Last month graffiti messages appeared across Northern Ireland, some of which targeted port staff - including one message which called them "targets".

Ports staff were withdrawn from duty in Larne in February in light of the messages, although the Irish sea border checks have since resumed.

Belfast Telegraph