NI parties condemn 'appalling' Trump shooting

Northern Ireland political parties have condemned the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump.

Mr Trump was shot in the right ear as he addressed supporters at an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

The FBI has named the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks - he was shot and killed by the US Secret Service.

One spectator, who has been identified as volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore, 50 was killed and two others were injured in the shooting.

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, said she was "appalled" at the incident.

"Violence is wrong. There is no place for it," the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician added.

"All must stand united against any use of violence as an attempt to close down democratic debate and activity."

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Simon Harris has also described the attack as a "horrific and heinous criminal act".

Speaking to BBC News NI's Sunday Politics programme, he welcomed news that Mr Trump had spoken with President Joe Biden in the aftermath of the incident.

"I’m relieved that President Trump is secure and well and of course my thoughts are with all of those who have been injured and most particularly with the innocent spectator who has been killed," Mr Harris said.

"Political violence must always be condemned, always be called out and I must say it is quite alarming the rise that we are seeing in political violence across the world."

The Irish prime minister said there was a need to "dial down the rhetoric when it comes to demonising political opponents" and called for "real leadership in the United States, real leadership in Europe and real leadership here on this island as well".

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said there "can never be any place for political violence in any democracy".

She offered her thoughts to those injured or bereaved by the shooting, and wished Mr Trump a "speedy recovery".

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Doug Beattie said the attempted assassination was "both disturbing and dangerous" and said it was an "attempt to undermine that democracy".

Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party, described the scenes as "shocking" and while Mr Trump survived "it underscores the threat to democracy from those who resort to the gun".

SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said: "Violence towards any politician of any affiliation must be condemned. This is awful."

President Biden described the attempted assassination as "sick" and added he was "grateful" to hear that Mr Trump was safe.

The White House also confirmed the president had spoken to Mr Trump.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "appalled by the shocking scenes" at the rally and offered the former president and his family his best wishes.

"Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack," he posted on social media.

President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she was "deeply shocked" at the incident.

"I wish Donald Trump a speedy recovery and offer my condolences to the family of the innocent victim," she said.

"Political violence has no place in a democracy."

Mr Trump was rushed off stage during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after a gunman opened fire from a nearby building at about 18:15 local time on Saturday.

Secret Service agents swarmed the former president after a series of gunshots, before bundling him into a waiting vehicle.

Posting on social media after the shooting, the former president said a bullet had pierced the "upper part" of his right ear.

Video footage of the gunman at the rally has been released.

At a news conference, an FBI agent said it was "surprising" the attacker was able to open fire.

An investigation into how the US Secret Service failed to protect the former president is already under way, involving the FBI as well as the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security.

The Oversight Committee in the US Congress has summoned the Secret Service director, saying "Americans demand answers".

The last assassination attempt on a former or current US president was 43 years ago when Ronald Reagan was shot in the lung but survived.