Arlene Foster: Black Lives Matter protest was a breach of the law

Speaking the day after thousands gathered in Belfast city centre for a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in police custody in the US last week, she said: “We are very clear, we are unified as an Executive in terms of the messaging that mass gatherings are a breach of regulation six.

“People need to know that, people need to understand that and the reason it is a breach of regulation six is we’re trying to protect them and their families and the wider community.

“I think that from now on the police will be watching very carefully what happens in relation to mass gatherings. I know that they are speaking to organisers of future events.

“We are saying very clearly today from this platform that if you want to have a peaceful protest in relation to any issue then there are other ways to do that.

“But be very clear mass gatherings such as we’ve seen in front of Belfast City Hall are a breach of the law and therefore everybody should be aware of that now and there should not be a repeat of that.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she stands “full square behind the Black Lives Matter campaign”.

“But we have to send a message very clearly but by gathering in such big crowds we’re actually spreading the virus and actually that’s killing people so we’re asking people to protest in a different way,” she said.

“Please find another avenue to vent your feelings and your views which I know are very strongly held so please go online and please find other ways to do it.”