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Belfast flag protests: Assembly to debate violence | Belfast flag protests: Assembly to debate violence |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Northern Ireland Assembly is to hold a special session later to debate a motion condemning attacks on Alliance Party politicians' homes and offices. | The Northern Ireland Assembly is to hold a special session later to debate a motion condemning attacks on Alliance Party politicians' homes and offices. |
The violence followed loyalist protests over Belfast City Council's move to fly the union flag only on designated days. | The violence followed loyalist protests over Belfast City Council's move to fly the union flag only on designated days. |
Up to 28 police officers have been injured in rioting and, since Friday night, 19 people have been charged. | Up to 28 police officers have been injured in rioting and, since Friday night, 19 people have been charged. |
A motion agreed by the main parties calls for any further protests to be peaceful and orderly. | A motion agreed by the main parties calls for any further protests to be peaceful and orderly. |
Alliance leader David Ford had requested an immediate recall of the assembly after the attacks on the home of two councillors in Bangor and a constituency office in Carrickfergus on Wednesday. | |
However, Sinn Fein argued that an immediate debate at Stormont on flags might prove divisive and only exacerbate tensions. | |
Monday's motion condemns rioting and intimidation and expresses sympathy with all those attacked, injured or threatened. | |
The wording was agreed by the main parties, but UKIP's David McNarry is backing an amendment repudiating Belfast City Council's decision to fly the union flag only on designated days. | |
Compromise | |
Meanwhile, the BBC has learned that a loyalist who made a speech to protesters in front of Belfast City Hall during Saturday's union flag demonstration was Jim Dowson, a former fundraiser for the British National Party. | Meanwhile, the BBC has learned that a loyalist who made a speech to protesters in front of Belfast City Hall during Saturday's union flag demonstration was Jim Dowson, a former fundraiser for the British National Party. |
A series of protests followed the decision made by the council last Monday that the flag - which is flown daily at the city hall - should only be flown on certain days. | A series of protests followed the decision made by the council last Monday that the flag - which is flown daily at the city hall - should only be flown on certain days. |
Nationalist councillors had wanted the flag at the city hall taken down altogether, but they voted on a compromise from the Alliance Party that it would fly on up to 20 days. | Nationalist councillors had wanted the flag at the city hall taken down altogether, but they voted on a compromise from the Alliance Party that it would fly on up to 20 days. |
Afterwards, unionists accused Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Alliance Party of attacking their cultural identity. | Afterwards, unionists accused Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Alliance Party of attacking their cultural identity. |
A loyalist crowd had gathered outside the city hall during the debate and there was a riot. A group of protesters forced their way into the back yard of the city hall and fought with police. | A loyalist crowd had gathered outside the city hall during the debate and there was a riot. A group of protesters forced their way into the back yard of the city hall and fought with police. |
Since then there have been a number of protests across Northern Ireland. Some have been peaceful, but others have become violent. | Since then there have been a number of protests across Northern Ireland. Some have been peaceful, but others have become violent. |
Divisive | Divisive |
The Alliance Party has said the main unionist parties bear some responsibility for stoking up the issue. | The Alliance Party has said the main unionist parties bear some responsibility for stoking up the issue. |
The DUP's Sammy Wilson had accused Alliance of "opening a Pandora's box". | The DUP's Sammy Wilson had accused Alliance of "opening a Pandora's box". |
DUP leader Peter Robinson has remained critical of the decision by nationalists to seek the removal of the Belfast City Council union flag describing it as "divisive and provocative". | DUP leader Peter Robinson has remained critical of the decision by nationalists to seek the removal of the Belfast City Council union flag describing it as "divisive and provocative". |
But Mr Robinson also called for the recent violent attacks to stop immediately and said the flag protests should be suspended in the wider interests of creating a peaceful society. | But Mr Robinson also called for the recent violent attacks to stop immediately and said the flag protests should be suspended in the wider interests of creating a peaceful society. |
Since last Wednesday's attacks, a death threat has been made against the party's only MP, Naomi Long, and Belfast city councillor Laura McNamee was also advised to leave her home. | |