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Stormont 'Irish tricolour flag on roof' briefing Stormont 'Irish tricolour flag on roof' investigation put on hold
(about 1 hour later)
The question of how an Irish tricolour flag was flown at Stormont is the focus of an Assembly briefing later. An assembly investigation into the flying of two unauthorised flags has been suspended while a police investigation is ongoing.
Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin and members of the Assembly Commission are due to meet to establish how the flag got on the roof. An Irish tricolour and another flag appeared on flag poles over Parliament Buildings for a time on Wednesday.
Contractors working at Parliament Buildings have been asked for a report by the assembly authorities.
The contractors are working on the site renovating parts of the roof and fourth floor.
The assembly said that the flags were removed as soon as it was made aware of them.
Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin briefed members of the Assembly Commission on Thursday about the incident and confirmed that the assembly would suspend any investigation as a police investigation is ongoing.
The move was criticised by DUP assembly member Paula Bradley who is a member of the Assembly Commission.
"The assembly is attempting to hide behind the ongoing police investigation to delay any proper investigation into the obvious security breakdown which allowed someone to erect an unauthorised flag on Parliament Buildings," she said.
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has described the fallout as "much ado about nothing".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. "I think we have far greater problems to deal with," the deputy first minister said.
A police investigation is under way.
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.
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.""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. However, Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott said people should respect Northern Ireland's constitutional position.
The assembly said that the flags were removed as soon as it was made aware of them. "Clearly, what we want to make sure of is that people respect the constitutional position of Northern Ireland.
Stunt
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. 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".