NI Green Party councillor resigns after leader says membership of terrorist organisations shouldn't be illegal

A Green councillor in North Down has resigned from the Green Party after the leader of the Northern Irish Green Party said that membership of terrorist organisations shouldn't be illegal.

Cllr Noelle Robinson was elected as a Green councillor less than a year ago and was assistant to Steven Agnew MLA, leader of the Northern Irish Green Party. Cllr Robinson has resigned as "a point of principal" after Agnew said that arresting people for their "political views" was counter-productive.

I was disappointed that Steven went along with the belief that mere membership should not be regarded as a criminal offence.

I disagree strongly with this view.

Terrorism survives where it is supported, and, in my own view, by even joining up to one of these groups, an individual is just as culpable for its activities as those carrying out violent acts.

Natalie Bennett, the leader of the Green Party of England & Wales, recently said that being a member of terrorist organisations like Islamic State shouldn't be illegal.