Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“For some weeks now I have been pressing the Culture Minister and those organising the World Police and Fire Games about whether or not the Union Flag will be flown to represent competitors from Northern Ireland. The answers have been ambiguous to say the least.
“Now, with less than two weeks to go before the Games, I am demanding clarity as to whether the Union Flag will be flown to represent competitors from Northern Ireland. There are concerns that not only will the PSNI and Northern Ireland Fire Service not march under the Union Flag at the opening ceremony but that the National Anthem will not be played should people from Northern Ireland win events.
“Other nations traditionally fly their flags with pride. Northern Ireland should be allowed to do the same this year. Any attempt to politicise the event by trying to deny the reality of Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the United Kingdom would be totally unacceptable and feed a growing sense of Unionist alienation from the PSNI.”
