Unionists see red over flying of Tricolour by lord mayor
Sinn Féin’s Alex Maskey insisted the flag was put in place as part of his policy to promote equality in the city during his 12-month term.
The flag stands with equal prominence to the Union Jack, each side of the fireplace in his study.
Mr Maskey said he was not trying to upset unionists but provide equality in the city hall for those whose allegiance was to the Irish flag. “I have worked in this office for the past three months with the union flag at my side. I have not removed it, I made a solemn promise not to. I also made a solemn promise that I would have equality in everything I do; that is why the Irish flag has been put here today.”
He added: “During my term of office I want the word equality to shine like a beacon through everything I do. No one should fear equality. Indeed, everyone is a winner as far as equality is concerned.”
Equality, he said, was a two-way street and he expected the new flag to remain in place when he left office “for as long as the unionist identity is on display in the mayor’s parlour.”
But unionists were having none of it. Three former unionist lord mayors condemned the move.
Nigel Dodds, the Democratic Unionist Party MP for North Belfast, said: “The decision of the lord mayor to display the flag of a foreign country in his parlour in the city hall runs counter to his claim that he would represent the people of this capital city, part of the United Kingdom, in a fair and non-controversial way.
“His spurious statement that it creates parity of esteem does not deserve response and confirms that he is consistently working to his own agenda.”
Mr Maskey’s immediate Ulster Unionist predecessor Jim Rodgers said: “This is a sad day for Belfast.”
Sammy Wilson, also a former DUP lord mayor, declared: “I don’t think it is necessary to have the flag of another country in a city hall in the UK.”
The Tricolour was presented to Mr Maskey during a ceremony in the mayor’s parlour by former IRA prisoner and prominent republican Robert Glenholmes, a senior member of the Felons Association.
With photographs of Queen Elizabeth; Prince Philip and the Queen Mother looking down from the walls, and guests sipping tea from Royal Albert fine bone china cups, Mr Maskey said he would also like to see the Irish flag flying alongside the Union flag on the roof of the city hall.
He has no say in the decision, but said he had urged the council to give the matter serious consideration. He said he recognised and accepted the desire of unionists to have the Union flag on display.
But in keeping with the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, he was placing the Tricolour beside it to ensure “the wishes of nationalists in this respect are recognised, accepted and on display.”
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