SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin has warned that paramilitary groups are drawing young people into racist disorder and that a generation born after the Good Friday Agreement is being taught division.

Addressing recent racist violence in Northern Ireland, Mrs McLaughlin expressed sympathy for Stephen Ogilvie and his family. She said families had been forced from their homes, businesses attacked, and people targeted because of their race or origin. She stated that racism has no place in society and there can be no excuses.

The Foyle MLA said political leadership was needed but would not be enough. She called for communities to show leadership, praising those who had done so in recent days. She argued that in too many areas, individuals and paramilitary organisations still exert control, thriving on division and fear.

Mrs McLaughlin highlighted the involvement of young people in the disorder, saying they had no lived experience of the conflict. She said it was a concern that a post-GFA generation was still being taught to fear neighbours, raising serious questions about progress in tackling division.

The MLA questioned whether Executive community relations programmes were achieving change. She named Together: Building United Communities and Communities in Transition and said it was plain there was no delivery of transformation in these communities. She said the public is entitled to know what impact the programmes are having and whether they are delivering lasting change.