Dúirt Siad – Union flag protests

“I share the anger in the loyalist community but somebody needs to stand up and tell the truth, which is that the flag is not going to go up again without an election or agreement. We are just running about like headless chickens.”

UDA leader Jackie McDonald

“There's has been a failure of leadership on the part of unionist political parties in this city and across the North. They have been led by the nose by a tiny group of unelected individuals, UVF men, National Front supporters and an assortment of headcases. What we needed was positive leadership from modern unionism but unfortunately we didn't get that.”

Belfast City Sinn Féin Councillor Jim McVeigh

“You’ve got hoodies in Belfast wrapping themselves in the Union flag, hiding their faces with masks and you just think “Ugh! Do I want to be associated with that? Is that my Britain? No, it isn't. I think they’re mad.”

British Government ex-minister and former Conservative Party MP Edwina Currie

“Paramilitaries have hijacked this flags protest issue and they have turned now their guns on the police. They are exploiting this.”

Police Federation Chairperson Terry Spence

“The rest of the UK looks at this with mystified bafflement. It’s like a throwback to the 18th century. The majority of the people of the United Kingdom don’t give a damn. I’d rather they [loyalists] didn't fly our flag because it’s embarrassing. I’m offended that this goes on in my name.”

'Daily Mirror' ex-editor David Banks