Political row over erection of flags

A row has erupted over the erection of union flags, bunting and Red Hand emblems in Portadown town centre.
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Sinn Fein has described the move as ‘sending out the wrong message to potential shoppers’ while unionist politicians said the erection of flags is an annual event marking their cultural heritage.

Describing the flags as ‘territorial’, Sinn Fein Cllr Paul Duffy said on Friday: “Overnight multiple flags were erected in Portadown town centre with no regard for the impact on the whole community and local businesses.

“Instead of the usual bunting, red hands and Union Jack flags are also overshadowing the area and it seems those responsible are shamefully justifying this by placing an NHS flag amongst them.

Flags erected in Portadown Town Centre.Flags erected in Portadown Town Centre.
Flags erected in Portadown Town Centre.

“Town centre businesses are struggling and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council has set up a working group to try and encourage shoppers back into town centres and help business cope with the effects of Covid 19.

“These flags are only marking territory and sending out the wrong message to potential shoppers so I call on the people who put them up to remove them straight away and give our local businesses every chance of recovery.”

DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley described Cllr Duffy’s remarks as ‘faux criticism from Sinn Fein’. He said: “It is customary to erect flags in Portadown at this time of year in celebration of the cultural festivities that take place.

“I would encourage everyone to stay safe and enjoy the Twelfth celebrations.

“Given the actions of Sinn Fein leadership in this past week they are in no position to criticise anyone.”

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said: “Every year Portadown centre is decorated for the 12th July celebrations. This year there will be no centralised parades and in an effort to maintain the celebratory atmosphere flags have been erected in the town and surrounding area.

“This is no different from what happens every year and I hope they come down as per the Portadown protocol.

“What we have here from Cllr Duffy is a mean-spirited attempt to shift the conversation away from Sinn Fein. Their blatant disregard for COVID 19 guidelines in Belfast at the funeral of Bobby Storey has shown utter contempt for those who loss loved ones, many from their own community.

“Cllr Duffy would be better reflecting on this and the damage it has done in the fight against this pandemic instead of this fake, contrived and frankly petulant whinging.”

DUP Cllr Lavelle McIlwrath said: “Unionists will take no lectures from SF on the issue of flags given their silence when it comes to Irish tricolours being erected outside Portadown Public Park or Ulster Carpet Mills.

“His annual comments regarding the town centre are hollow and nothing more than an attempt to stir tensions and distract from the disgraceful and shameful actions of SF and their flagrant disregard for the Covid -19 restrictions.

“Cllr Duffy would be better spending his time changing his broken record and working to help foster some respect.

“This year we marked the 75th Anniversary of VE Day and will soon do the same for VJ Day and the decorations in Portadown are very fitting for those occasions. I congratulate those who have invested time and money into ensuring the town looks well during what has become a very unique year.”

SDLP Cllr Eamon McNeill said: “During the period of this pandemic I’ve had the privilege of working alongside volunteers from right across Portadown and seen at first-hand how we can all work together to help the most vulnerable in our community. The positive community spirit was truly uplifting.

“It is regrettable that once again the town centre has been festooned with flags, marking out territory and making it an unwelcoming place. The small minority behind this should take them down. The SDLP has long called for our town centres to be neutral spaces.

“Cllr Duffy has lost whatever moral authority SF had as a consequence of recent events in Belfast. Their election mantra of ‘equality, integrity, respect’ rings very hollow.”

Alliance Party Cllr Eóin Tennyson said: “Over the past number of weeks we have dealt with an increasing number of complaints in relation to national flags, ‘Soldier F’ banners and UVF flags being erected in various locations across Upper Bann without consultation, or the consent of local residents.

“All space in Northern Ireland is shared space and cannot be claimed by anyone, and in certain areas flags are being used to demarcate territory.

“Everyone should be free to celebrate their culture, but we must ensure this is done in a collegiate, transparent and time-bound way.

“Alliance has been consistent in calling for legislation to regulate the flying of flags and emblems from street furniture, ensuring flags and other celebratory material can be displayed in a regulated, time-bound manner by application and that enforcement action can be taken where necessary.”

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