Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble last night (Thursday) described a loyalist plot to burn a Catholic mother out of her home in his constituency as "ethnic cleansing".
His condemnation came as it emerged that the gang may have been behind a burglary at the woman's Portadown home days before she was warned of the threat against her life.
Burglars struck on May 6 as the young mother, who lives with her 18-month-old son, went to the shop.
Three days later police visited the woman after uncovering a loyalist plan to burn her out of her Tandragee Road home, which she has now fled.
It has emerged that when the house was burgled there was material inside that gave a clear indication of her religion.
Police have declined to comment on whether the burglary was random or linked to the foiled arson attack.
"It is not our policy to comment on matters that affect the security of an individual," a spokesman said.
Upper Bann MP Mr Trimble, said: "One condemns without reservation any of these things and they are sadly familiar. Ethnic cleansing in these situations is quite indefensible.
"The whole point of the agreement is to create a situation where people can be comfortable with each other."
The woman, who did not want to be identified, said: "I was so terrified that I left that night.
"I am also angry. I am not a bitter person – I keep myself to myself. I am just trying to rear my baby. I live for my son."
Sinn Féin's Dara O'Hagan described as the development as "very worrying".
