The leaders of the six main parties in Stormont have condemned a campaign to force Catholic families from their homes in a mixed estate in south Belfast.
The statement, criticising sectarianism and calling for the lifting of threats against the families, was issued by the leaders of the DUP, Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party, the UUP and the Green Party.
It is a highly unusual show of unity involving the six political parties at a time when the power-sharing Executive remains suspended.
The families involved were advised by the PSNI to leave their homes in Cantrell Close, off the Ravenhill Hill road last week.
Loyalist paramilitaries are being linked to the issuing of the treats.
The statement says "we as political leaders condemn all forms of sectarianism, intolerance and threats of violence."
It also states that everyone has the right to live in a society without fear of intimidation and free from sectarianism.
The initiative by the party leaders comes as the two main parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin, continue their private discussions to resolve the issues that led to a breakdown in the relationship in the power-sharing administration.
The full statement is as follows:
"We as political leaders condemn all forms of sectarianism, intolerance and threats of violence.
Four families have been forced to leave their homes in South Belfast. This is wrong. Any threat to these families should be lifted immediately.
There is also an onus on the PSNI and the statutory agencies to provide immediate and appropriate support to the affected families, including re-housing those affected if they feel unable to remain in their homes.
This situation runs absolutely contrary to the ethos under which the Cantrell Close development was created.
Everyone has the right to live in a society without fear of intimidation and free from sectarianism.
Those behind this threat offer nothing but hatred and division and should be condemned by all political, community and statutory leaders."
