The Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness says he has been told of a real and active threat against him. Mr. McGuinness said a senior PSNI officer informed him last night of the threat from a dissident group in Derry.
He says it is linked to his condemnation of the recent attempted mortar attack in the city and other comments he made in support of the the police service in the North.
The PSNI say they are taking the threat seriously.
"I will not be silenced"
Commenting on the news, Mr. McGuinness said "There are times when in political leadership staying silent is not an option and I will not be silenced by threats like this".
"I will defend the peace process from attack from whatever quarter, be it these groups or the loyalist flag protesters over recent months".
"It says much about the mentality of those running groups like the one behind the threat that in their warped logic threatening Irish Republicans and their families somehow advances the cause of Irish reunification". I am very sure of the ground I stand on".
"I am also very sure that it is the path shared by Republicans across this island genuinely interested in building a new agreed Ireland" he added.
