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Loyalist group calls for refugees to be 'hunted out'

Migrants and refugees in a rubber dinghy arriving on the beach at Psalidi near Kos Town, Kos, Greece. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA
Migrants and refugees in a rubber dinghy arriving on the beach at Psalidi near Kos Town, Kos, Greece. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA Migrants and refugees in a rubber dinghy arriving on the beach at Psalidi near Kos Town, Kos, Greece. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA

A HARDLINE loyalist faction linked to the UDA has called for refugees fleeing war zones to he “hunted” out of loyalist areas.

The Ulster Political Research Group in north Antrim, which offers political advice to the UDA, also appeared to single out the housing executive and private landlords.

Police last night said they are investigating the posts.

The development comes after the Protestant Coalition confirmed it intends to hold an “anti-refugee/terrorist” rally in Belfast city centre next month.

Earlier this year the party, which is linked to the loyalist flag protest, called off a similar event planned for Belfast city hall.

At the time posts left on social media by the group were also reported to police by the Pat Finucane centre.

Loyalist group calls for refugees to be 'hunted out'
Loyalist group calls for refugees to be 'hunted out'

The recent controversial comments came after 129 civilians were killed by members of Islamic State during a series of gun and suicide bomb attacks in Paris last Friday.

The refugee issue was brought into sharp focus in September when the drowned body of two-year-old Aylan Kurdi was pictured washed up on a Turkish beech after the boat he and his family were travelling in capsized.

The image sparked a huge outpouring of sympathy for the plight of those forced to flee their own countries as a result of conflicts.

However, the north Antrim, Derry and Tyrone branch of the UPRG took to Facebook at the weekend to launch a bitter attack on them.

“Any of these f**king refugees should be hunted from loyalist areas if they are put in,” it said.

It also singled out those who may provide homes for refugees.

“To the housing executive and private landlords. We will be watching. Time to get real folks.”

During the racist rant the group went on to say: “ The massacre in France is just the start.

“They are coming for us soon.”

The UPRG also posted a quote from former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill which compared Muslims to rabid dogs.

“Winston Churchill said ‘Islam in a man is as dangerous as a rabbies (sic) dog.”’

“Tonight in Paris Islam showed again it's true face.

”These rabid animals are among us now.

”Loyalists watch for your families.”

The Protestant Coalition said the British government’s policy towards refugees is “seriously flawed” and that it needs “new stricter border controls and immigration”.

East Derry SDLP assembly member John Dallat last night said he reported the UPRG's comments to the PSNI.

“I think it underlines the absolute need to step up out campaign against racism and begin to address the serious threat that is posed through social media which in this case has been abused through xenophobia,” he said.

“They have plenty of experience of that in the past where hundreds of people were moved from their homes, not because they were foreign, but because they were Catholic.”

Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said: “The Facebook post does nothing to foster positive community relations.

“The events in Paris at the weekend shocked all of us, but this post and associated comments are not a useful or thoughtful response.

“We will of course be investigating whether the post and associated comments constitute any breach of the law.”