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Belfast flag protests: Assembly to debate violence Belfast flag protests: Assembly debates violence
(about 2 hours 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 holding a special session 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.
Progressive Unionist Party leader Billy Hutchinson has denied that loyalist paramilitaries orchestrated violence.Progressive Unionist Party leader Billy Hutchinson has denied that loyalist paramilitaries orchestrated violence.
On Saturday, Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said: "Loyalist paramilitary groups are now actively involved in orchestrating this disorder."On Saturday, Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said: "Loyalist paramilitary groups are now actively involved in orchestrating this disorder."
He said members of both the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) were "involved in the violence, we're now seeing senior members actively involved in orchestrating the violence."He said members of both the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) were "involved in the violence, we're now seeing senior members actively involved in orchestrating the violence."
But Mr Hutchinson told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster programme on Monday that he did not accept what police were saying.But Mr Hutchinson told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster programme on Monday that he did not accept what police were saying.
"We do not accept this. The UVF and the Red Hand (Commandos) are getting the blame for this," he said."We do not accept this. The UVF and the Red Hand (Commandos) are getting the blame for this," he said.
"The PUP strategy is around making sure that this is unarmed resistance. People are disaffected, frustrated and angry. People are entitled to demonstrate but they should do it peacefully and in a dignified way.""The PUP strategy is around making sure that this is unarmed resistance. People are disaffected, frustrated and angry. People are entitled to demonstrate but they should do it peacefully and in a dignified way."
The motion up for debate in the assembly on Monday has been agreed by the main parties and calls for any further protests to be peaceful and orderly.The motion up for debate in the assembly on Monday has been agreed by the main parties and 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.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.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.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.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.
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.
Mr Dowson told the BBC that he had never been a member of the BNP, not had he voted for them.Mr Dowson told the BBC that he had never been a member of the BNP, not had he voted for them.
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.
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.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.