Ulster Unionist spokesperson on policing, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has welcomed the assessment from MI5 that the threat of terrorist attack in Northern Ireland has diminished from SEVERE to SUBSTANTIAL. 

Speaking as the announcement was made, Mr. Nesbitt commented;

"As Desmond Tutu said, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance and I am grateful to the security services for their tireless work to keep the people of Northern Ireland safe. 

"I feel the appropriate reaction to the lowering of the threat level is "Good, but ..." The "but" being the recognition that there are still those who wish to use extreme violence to disrupt society and take life. Principally, I refer to so-called dissident republicans.

"There is also the question of the continuing presence of criminal gangs whose origins lie in loyalist paramilitary organisations. 30 years on from the loyalist ceasefires, I see no justification for their continued existence and call on self-respecting loyalists to distance themselves from the criminals in their community.

“A restored Assembly represents an opportunity to finally address the legacy of the long period of our Troubles and free individuals, families and communities from the coercive control that is still being exerted today, creating new victims in 2024."