A West Belfast SDLP candidate has hit out at “nasty political games” over an online image of him pointing an alleged “gun” ahead of the upcoming local elections.
Turf Lodge man Paul Doherty is running for a seat on Belfast City Council for the first time this year.
New Tweeter 'John Hughes' posted the picture of him holding what Mr Doherty said was a BB gun on a holiday to Spain, aged 18, just before midnight on Tuesday. It is the first and only Tweet that has been shared from the account.
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The poster called on the SDLP to “clarify” the image, adding: “SDLP candidate Paul Doherty posing with a gun.
“This is not the gangsterism and criminality wanted in Belfast City Council. This is absolutely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.”
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Mr Doherty, 40, said he is “disappointed someone would use this in an attempt to undermine the work I’m doing in West Belfast”.
He added: “This picture was taken 22 years ago when I was 18 and on holiday in Spain. There weren’t many teenagers in Belfast at that time who didn’t have a cheap pellet gun from a Spanish shop.
“For the record, let me say unequivocally – I am opposed to violence. I have always been opposed to violence.
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“I’ve hosted music festivals in this city with the aim of bringing people together in a spirit of reconciliation to reject violence.
“I’m trying to bring people together in this community to tackle issues that matter – dealing with homelessness, making sure our schools have enough money to survive, helping people fight crippling welfare cuts.
“People don’t want nasty political games, they want people who’ll work to do better for Belfast.”
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The SDLP has also defended its West Belfast candidate.
A spokesperson for the party said: “Paul Doherty is a local community activist noted for his work bringing people together through music.
“It’s a disgrace that a Twitter account seems to have been set up with the sole purpose of slandering his good name. People in West Belfast aren’t stupid and they won’t fall for these pathetic games.”
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