Stephen Nolan: I’m going to police after people suggest beating me to death

The BBC star said that it has reached a head recently, with some people issuing what could amount to death threats over social media.

More to follow shortly.

But here is what Mr Nolan told listeners this morning.

“Let me share with you what’s in my head,” he said.

“I do not like using the fact I’ve got a bit of money and whatever comes with that to hurt anybody or do anything like it.

“But I think it has crossed a line so much that unfortunately I do think I’m going to report some people to the police.

“There are a number of people that called for me to be beaten to death yesterday in Dungannon.

“Others were encouraging people to kick my teeth in, hit me over the back of the head. I just think it’s gone too far.

“No matter what type of Twitter intimidation there will be on me, and therefore my team, this programme will stand up very tall for our right to ask questions in the public interest no matter how much abuse is thrown at us – bottom line.

Finally thing on this: when we’re asking questions, this is not a nationalist... some people are trying to portray this as a nationalist or a unionist issue – it’s not.

“If there are breaches of [Covid] regulations, questions to be asked about why certain people are doing things, those questions apply and are asked on behalf of every community in Northern Ireland.”

Reacting to that on Twitter, @jake2220 said: “Nursing homes and hospitals need volunteers and workers. Let the anti-mask brigade go work there. If they think the virus is a hoax let them prove it by working in the care industry, minus mask of course.”

@salutethesun01 said that “Stephen is asking the questions law abiding [people] want answers to”.

And Desmond Kenny, former head of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, chimed in: “I regard Stephen as one of our best broadcasters who quickly tunes into his contributors” (although he was critical of him acting as “a very persistent voice for the victim” in the Jay Donnelly story).

Among those voicing further criticism was @TheBenGerrySho1 (number of Twitter followers – 0) who criticsed his coverage of the Bobby Storey funeral calling him a “liar” and a “bigot”.

And recently-joined Twitter user @GaelWhitty (number of Twitter followers – also 0) offered this: “The only crime being committed here is nolan fat gut.”

The PSNI has being contacted and a response is awaited.

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