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| Belfast riots continue as flag flies for Kate's birthday | Belfast riots continue as flag flies for Kate's birthday |
| (3 months later) | |
| The union flag was back atop Belfast city hall on Wednesday to mark the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday as the secretary of state accused loyalists of holding Northern Ireland to ransom. | The union flag was back atop Belfast city hall on Wednesday to mark the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday as the secretary of state accused loyalists of holding Northern Ireland to ransom. |
| Unionist politicians involved in trying to defuse the dispute that has resulted in riots and disturbances since December hope that the reappearance of the flag will halt the protests. | Unionist politicians involved in trying to defuse the dispute that has resulted in riots and disturbances since December hope that the reappearance of the flag will halt the protests. |
| There was a sixth consecutive night of violence in east Belfast on Tuesday with petrol bombs and bricks thrown at police riot squad officers following further demonstrations against the council's decision to restrict the number of days that union flag is flown at city hall to 17 days in the year. | There was a sixth consecutive night of violence in east Belfast on Tuesday with petrol bombs and bricks thrown at police riot squad officers following further demonstrations against the council's decision to restrict the number of days that union flag is flown at city hall to 17 days in the year. |
| Among the other days the union flag will fly will be on St Patrick's Day, which has become a major celebration of nationalist culture in Belfast over the past 20 years. | Among the other days the union flag will fly will be on St Patrick's Day, which has become a major celebration of nationalist culture in Belfast over the past 20 years. |
| In response to a month of disorder that has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests and dozens of police officers being injured, the Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villiers, has said the province was being "held to ransom by protesters" and called for an end to all street demonstrations over flags. | In response to a month of disorder that has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests and dozens of police officers being injured, the Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villiers, has said the province was being "held to ransom by protesters" and called for an end to all street demonstrations over flags. |
| Her Labour shadow, Vernon Coaker, said the disturbances had become a matter of "national security" after the police said senior loyalist paramilitaries had been involved in the rioting. | Her Labour shadow, Vernon Coaker, said the disturbances had become a matter of "national security" after the police said senior loyalist paramilitaries had been involved in the rioting. |
| Meanwhile the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warned that jobs could be lost if a solution to the flag issue was not found quickly, as many businesses including restaurants continued to suffer. | Meanwhile the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warned that jobs could be lost if a solution to the flag issue was not found quickly, as many businesses including restaurants continued to suffer. |
| The CBI Northern Ireland director, Nigel Smyth, said: "We are already aware of investors who have lost interest because of these disruptions." | The CBI Northern Ireland director, Nigel Smyth, said: "We are already aware of investors who have lost interest because of these disruptions." |
| Although Wednesday marks a respite in the dispute, further street protests are planned by loyalists for the end of this week, including a demonstration outside the Irish parliament in Dublin on Saturday. | Although Wednesday marks a respite in the dispute, further street protests are planned by loyalists for the end of this week, including a demonstration outside the Irish parliament in Dublin on Saturday. |
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