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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Stormont 'Irish tricolour flag on roof' briefing | Stormont 'Irish tricolour flag on roof' briefing |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The question of how an Irish tricolour flag was flown at Stormont is the focus of an Assembly briefing later. | The question of how an Irish tricolour flag was flown at Stormont is the focus of an Assembly briefing later. |
| Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin and members of the Assembly Commission are due to meet to establish how the flag got on the roof. | Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin and members of the Assembly Commission are due to meet to establish how the flag got on the roof. |
| Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has described the fallout as "much ado about nothing". | |
| However, Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott said people should respect Northern Ireland's constitutional position. | |
| A police investigation is under way. | A police investigation is under way. |
| The flag appeared over Parliament Buildings for a time on Wednesday. | The flag appeared over Parliament Buildings for a time on Wednesday. |
| A spokesperson for the assembly said it was aware that "two flags were flown without permission from the roof" and it was investigating. | A spokesperson for the assembly said it was aware that "two flags were flown without permission from the roof" and it was investigating. |
| DUP assembly member Peter Weir said he had been assured by the assembly that "these were rogue actions and are being fully investigated". | DUP assembly member Peter Weir said he had been assured by the assembly that "these were rogue actions and are being fully investigated". |
| However, Mr McGuinness the deputy first minister, said: "I think we have far greater problems to deal with. | |
| "I would prefer to keep the focus on trying to find a way forward so that we can continue to deliver for all of the people that we represent." | |
| The roof and the fourth floor of Parliament Buildings are currently a construction site under the control of building contractors. | The roof and the fourth floor of Parliament Buildings are currently a construction site under the control of building contractors. |
| The assembly said that the flags were removed as soon as it was made aware of them. | The assembly said that the flags were removed as soon as it was made aware of them. |
| Stunt | Stunt |
| Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott said: "Clearly, what we want to make sure of is that people respect the constitutional position of Northern Ireland. | Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott said: "Clearly, what we want to make sure of is that people respect the constitutional position of Northern Ireland. |
| "Maybe it was a prank. If people come forward and accept what they did, that would be possible." | "Maybe it was a prank. If people come forward and accept what they did, that would be possible." |
| John Dallat, of the SDLP, said he believed it was a prank and he did not feel provoked by it. | |
| "The previous day, I went up to Stormont to do my work and there were two union flags. I didn't get palpitations," he said. | "The previous day, I went up to Stormont to do my work and there were two union flags. I didn't get palpitations," he said. |
| "We are in a pluralist society - perhaps we should put one flag on the roof for each tradition and keep everyone happy." | "We are in a pluralist society - perhaps we should put one flag on the roof for each tradition and keep everyone happy." |
| TUV leader Jim Allister said it was "a serious breach of protocol and absolutely unacceptable". | TUV leader Jim Allister said it was "a serious breach of protocol and absolutely unacceptable". |