False “misogynistic material” circulating about the South Down DUP Assembly candidate Diane Forsythe has been reported to police.
The DUP warned that “anyone found to have shared the material will be prosecuted.”
East Antrim hopeful Gordon Lyons, who is also the party’s election director, said it was an “outrageous attack” on Ms. Forsythe’s character.
“Diane Forsythe was the victim of a slanderous and malicious campaign to tarnish her reputation and an attempt to harass a young candidate as she tried to rise to public office,” he said.
“The latest widespread misogynistic material is not only fake, but also scandalously offensive. This vile material is motivated by inherent misogynistic prejudices and is intended to undermine Diane’s character. It is a shame that political opponents, unable to oppose Diane’s intellect or political arguments, are reduced to this level.
“All South Down candidates must make a clear statement condemning this outrageous and protracted attack on Diane’s character.
“None of our candidates will be scared or meek to stand while their hero is attacked by faceless trolls.
“The case has been reported to the police, but separate lawsuits will be taken against anyone who shares the material.
PSNI contacted for a response regarding the material.
In response to the news on Twitter, former Prime Minister and former DUP leader Arlene Foster wrote: “So shameful, but unfortunately not surprising.”
Ms Forsythe, who resigned from the DUP last June, accusing him of “shameful sexism, old age and covert harassment”, replaced Jim Wells as the party’s candidate after 27 years in Stormont, she said.
Her father, Councilor Glyn Hanna, also retired, only to return under the leadership of Sir Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
The mother of three is running for Westminster in 2017 and, despite no previous political experience, performed well, increasing the DUP vote in South Down by 9.3%.
She recently responded to Mr Wales’ claim that he did not have enough experience to represent the constituency.
Mr Wales announced last month that he had resigned from the DUP after 46 years in the party, following his public endorsement by TUV South Down candidate Harry McKee because of Ms Forsythe.
Mr Wales later said he was ready to consider joining the Jim Alistair-led party and revealed during questions and answers last week’s live Belfast Telegraph election that TUV had shown him “more respect” than the former. his party had “for seven years.”
The former DUP man claims that Ms. Forsythe was “imposed and imposed” on the South Down party association by her leadership in Belfast.
On Monday night, Mr Wells reiterated his belief that Ms Forsythe was an “inappropriate” candidate for the South Down DUP – but condemned the fake material circulating.
“There is no room for that, challenge people with their policies and experiences, there is no need for anything beyond that,” he said.
Mr Wales added: “The lady can, no doubt about it. She is a very capable but completely unsuitable candidate.
“May I assure you, because I’m not really doing any of this [social media]it didn’t come from me, it certainly didn’t come from any of the people who resigned.
“If it comes from younger people, I would say we don’t need any of it, we just have to fight it based on our policies, experience and suitability, and it doesn’t meet the requirements for any of them.”
Speaking to the News Letter last week, Ms Forsythe said she had received the highest vote for the South Down DUP in the 2017 general election.
She also stressed that she would bring life experience to the Stormont meeting if elected on May 5th.
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