Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood is taking legal action over social media posts made by a high-profile influencer under investigation for child trafficking and other alleged offences.
Ms Eastwood, an Alliance representative, began legal proceedings against Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, both currently under investigation in Romania.
KRW Law, which is representing Ms Eastwood, said in a statement that the firm has been “instructed to issue legal proceedings against Andrew and Tristan Tate”.
It is linked to their “continued publication of social media postings”, which were made on January 10.
“We can confirm service of correspondence on today’s date to their solicitors,” the statement read. “In view of the sensitivities of the issues, we have no further comment to make.”
The legal action stems from posts by the Tate brothers late last week, which included an apparent threat followed by Ms Eastwood’s social media address on X, formerly Twitter.
Both brothers, along with four others, are under investigation in Romania accused of forming an organised criminal group, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. All deny the charges.
Mr Tate, a 38-year-old former kick boxer, was under house arrest until it was lifted on Tuesday.
“This ruling marks a decisive step forward, granting (Tate) the freedom to travel throughout Romania while adhering to the required legal conditions,” his representatives told Reuters news agency.
The brothers, dual US and UK nationals, also have a British arrest warrant outstanding and will be extradited after the Romanian trial proceedings conclude.
A Romanian Court of Appeal in December threw out the original charges against the defendants. However, a second criminal investigation has begun.
Andrew Tate last week announced on social media he wants to start a new British political party.
