Unionist politicians have protested after the Irish tricolour was flown from the main flagpole over Northern Ireland’s assembly buildings in Stormont.
The political stunt was condemned by the Democratic Unionist Party assembly member Peter Weir as “provocative” and described by the Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott as calculated to “cause offence”.
The display of flags and emblems on official buildings in the province remains a sensitive issue. In 2012, a decision by Belfast city council to limit the flying of the union flag over City Hall triggered months of loyalist protests, some of which descended into violence.
In accordance with the policy adopted at City Hall, the union flag is only flown on Parliament Buildings on a number of designated days each year.
The unauthorised flourishing of the Irish Republic’s national flag above the building that once symbolised unionist ascendancy comes amid a developing political crisis over welfare cuts.
Those responsible for raising the tricolour and another flag on an adjacent flagpole are thought to have gained access via scaffolding erected for rooftop repairs.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was aware of the incident and was investigating. An assembly spokeswoman said: “[We were] made aware that two flags were flown without permission from the roof of Parliament Buildings for a short time today. As soon as the assembly was made aware of the incident, the flags were removed.”
Weir said: “Whatever the motivation behind this, there must be a full explanation from the assembly as to who had access to the flag poles and who was responsible for this action,” he said. “I have been assured by the assembly that these were rogue actions and are being fully investigated.”
Elliott, also an assembly member, said: “It was no doubt done to attract attention and cause offence and annoyance. The Ulster Unionist Party will be seeking a full explanation of how this could happen.
“We are perfectly clear that the union flag is the only flag that should fly over Stormont in order to reflect and respect the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.”
But Sinn Féin accused unionists of over-reacting. Gerry Kelly, a leading party assembly member, said: “The reaction by unionist politicians to the hoisting of two Irish flags above Stormont’s Parliament Buildings can only be described as hysteria.
“This, for some unionist politicians, is a bigger crisis than anything that has happened over the past weeks.”
