'Schools should be places of learning, not fear' – Derry MLAs React to hoax school threats
Derry politicians have spoken of the fear sparked after hundreds of schools here and elsewhere across the north were targeted by a threatening email.
Education Minister Paul Givan has condemned the actions of those who issued a threatening email to the schools.
Derry SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said schools should be places of learning, not places of fear.
Mr Durkan said: “It's a disgrace that hundreds of schools across NI have received a bomb threat email.
"Our schools should be places of learning, not fear. Those responsible need to wise up and understand the fear and disruption they're causing. We will not be dragged back to the dark days of our troubled past."
DUP MLA Julie Middleton called the threat disgraceful. She said: “Those responsible must be in front of the Courts for using schools and children in such a disgusting way.”
It is understood that parents across the North received messages from schools, stating that they are taking the matter seriously, and that the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff remained their highest priority.
Mr Givan said: “I want to absolutely condemn the actions of those who sought to disrupt our education system today by issuing threatening emails to our schools.
“The PSNI has now confirmed that they consider these emails to be a hoax with similar emails received by some schools across the UK. I want to reassure schools that following checks, the PSNI has not found anything untoward at this time. Schools should continue to operate as normal.
“I recognise that this has caused huge alarm and distress among pupils, parents and school staff and I understand that schools have had to make decisions in the best interests of their pupils and staff. This has unfortunately led to a number of school closures.
“My Department will continue to work with the PSNI and the Education Authority and we will continue to engage with the PSNI as their enquiries continue.
"The PSNI urges everyone, in the meantime, to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately.”
The PSNI said that up to 300 schools were issued with the threatening letters via email, and confirmed that they were treating the matter as a hoax.