Maskey raises tricolour at Belfast City Hall

Belfast Lord Mayor Alec Maskey has raised the Irish tricolour in his office at City Hall.

The flag now hangs beside the mayoral fireplace, alongside the union flag.

Unionists have described the gesture as provocative and said it will raise sectarian tensions, but Mr Maskey said implementing the Good Friday Agreement’s commitment to equality is a two-way street.

He reminded his opponents that he recently honoured unionist sensitivities by laying a wreath to commemorate the Battle of the Somme.

The Sinn Fein Lord Mayor also said that flags and emblems should not be used in an offensive manner, but added that ways must be found for both nationalist and unionist traditions to respectfully accept each other.