A Co Antrim man has complained about an approach by the PSNI after the recent launch of a website arguing for a referendum on Irish unity.
Joe Matthews said he was approached by three men, one of whom claimed to be a PSNI officer, after coming off a flight at Belfast International Airport on Saturday.
The 27-year-old member of the IRSP is the administrator of a ‘Yes for Unity’ website launched last week and vice national chairman of a wider campaign.
He said he was approached as he made his way to a luggage collection area.
“What they said is ‘we know you from the website and we want you to co-operate with us’,” he said.
“At that point I said ‘go away’ and they said nothing after that.”
Mr Matthews said he believes the PSNI are “worried about a working class based Irish unity and anti-sectarian initiative”.
His solicitor Michael Brentnall, of Brentnall Legal, said he has “instigated complaints with both the Police Ombudsman’s office and the Investigatory Powers Tribunal”.
He claimed the conduct amounted to "clear attempts to interfere in his private and family life and in his right to legitimate political activity which are enshrined under the European Convention on Human Rights and the Good Friday Agreement respectively”.
A spokesman for the PSNI said: “If anyone has a complaint to make about the actions of police they can contact the office of the Police Ombudsman."
