Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister has hit back after she was targeted with a torrent of “vile misogynistic” abuse on social media.
Both Naomi Long and Health Minister Robin Swann were the focus of the onslaught on Twitter on Wednesday evening just hours after the Stormont Executive agreed to plans to roll out a mandatory vaccine passport.
In a series of tweets on Sunday, Ms Long thanked all those "who expressed solidarity over the last few days".
She added: "Your kindness is an antidote to the bile. I'm fortunate: I'm strong, with an amazing support network of people who love and respect me. Anyone who thinks bullying will break me clearly doesn't know me.
"But I do worry for young women, growing up surrounded by misogyny, sexism, bullying and body shaming. Who might not survive such a pile-on.
"I worry for women who have a contribution to make to public life, but will see the treatment dished out to others and think twice.
"And I worry for the women who share their lives with those involved in orchestrating such hateful behaviour. A 'thick skin' shouldn't be a prerequisite for public life.
"We shouldn't have to 'toughen up'. Social media needs to do better. Bullies need to be held accountable."
Ms Long added that it would be business as usual on Monday.
She said: "Tomorrow, I’ll be doing my job as always. I will not be deflected. I will not be bullied. I will not give anyone that power over me."
The Alliance Party leader went on to share a photo featuring part of the Maya Angelou poem 'Still I Rise'.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis was among political leaders who had expressed solidarity with Ms Long.
“The vile misogynistic abuse that has been directed towards her since yesterday’s vote is disgusting and has no place in this echo chamber or outside of it,” he tweeted.
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said the abuse directed at Ms Long and Mr Swann was “utterly disgraceful”.
“You can have a point of view, that’s fair, but you’ve no right to abuse anyone on here or anywhere else. #StopTheAbuse,” he tweeted.
Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard tweeted: “You have to be a cowardly weasel to launch the type of attack on a female public representative that Naomi Long has suffered today on Twitter. Utterly pathetic Solidarity with @naomi-long.”
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood had urged social media companies “to stop allowing thugs to turn their platforms into cess pits”.
Ms Long’s husband Michael, a councillor in Belfast, also previously thanked all those who had expressed support.
“Social media is a sewer and full of non-entities seeking attention. Thanks to many people who have expressed support from across the spectrum for Naomi tonight,” he tweeted on Wednesday.
The Executive was divided over mandatory vaccine passports, with the DUP voting against them.
The other four Executive parties backed a proposal from Mr Swann that will see legal enforcement of Covid-19 certification entry requirements for nightclubs, bars, restaurants and a range of other settings from December 13.
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