Tricolour over Stormont raises flags issue across the Six Counties

THE HYSTERICAL REACTION by unionist politicians to the brief flying on Wednesday of an Irish Tricolour over Parliament Buildings at Stormont stands in contrast to their silence on “countless British and unionist flags at sensitive interfaces or town centres bedecked with Union flags”, Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said.

Although it was later described by authorities as a “rogue action” that lasted around ten minutes (including what was described as a United Irishmen flag) , Democratic Unionist Party MLA Peter Weir called the incident “provocative”. He has written to Assembly Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin and also to Stormont's Chief Executive to ask how it happened.

The Ulster Unionist Party also called for an inquiry.

The Progressive Unionist Party reported the matter to the PSNI.

Elsewhere, Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay tweeted that it was all “a bit of a storm in a teacup. Need a flag policy that is inclusive, not exclusive.”

Gerry Kelly said there is a need for respect for all traditions at Stormont and pointed out that a consultation into flags and emblems in the grounds of Stormont and Parliament Buildings has only just been concluded.

“One thing will be very clear,” the Sinn Féin MLA said. “There is nothing about the place that celebrates or respects the nationalist tradition in this part of the island.

“We want to create an environment based on respect and tolerance and we would call on those who are now objecting so strongly to this incident to join with us in creating a policy that reflects that.”

He said unionist reaction could only be described as “hysteria”, adding, in reference to the budget crisis caused by the austerity agenda imposed by the Tory Government in London:

“This for some unionist politicians is a bigger crisis than anything that has happened over the past weeks.”

➤ Many non-unionists saw the lighter side and some jokers couldn't resist the urge to Photoshop the episode as one did below with the caption "G'wan, Gerry, ya boy ya!'