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14/11/2012
Alliance Slams Unionist 'Underhand' Flag Tactics
Alliance Belfast Councillor Maire Hendron has spoken out against "underhand tactics" carried out by the DUP and UUP which claim her party wants to remove the Union flag at City Hall.
About 40,000 leaflets have been distributed across the city as part of a joint operation by the DUP and UUP which says Alliance has sided with Sinn Fein and the SDLP over the issue.
The move by unionists comes before a flag debate at Belfast City Hall next month.
The Alliance Party says the leaflets contain "false information and untrue allegations aimed at misleading the public on what has been a long-term Alliance policy."
The leaflets are printed in Alliance’s distinctive yellow colour and contain the address and contact details for the party’s offices.
It urges readers to "contact the Alliance Party and let them know we don’t want our flag torn down from City Hall."
Councillor Maire Hendron said: "I am absolutely disgusted at the level some of my counterparts on Belfast City Council have stooped to on this matter. I know the DUP and the UUP are behind these leaflets, manipulating voters across Belfast by creating unnecessary anger and fear.
"These leaflets are in poor taste and full of wrong information. A public consultation was carried out into the future of the flag, but these figures are yet to be released. I certainly don't have access to them so I find it hard to understand how the so-called findings have been published in this way.
"The Alliance Party has always had a policy of designated days when it comes to flying the Union Flag over the City Hall. Not only is this the status quo at Stormont - where the DUP's MLAs make no complaint -but it is in line with the recommendation of the Equality Commission.
"I would like a full apology from those behind this outrageous attack on the Alliance Party. Constituents across Belfast also deserve an apology as they should expect better from elected representatives."
(IT)
About 40,000 leaflets have been distributed across the city as part of a joint operation by the DUP and UUP which says Alliance has sided with Sinn Fein and the SDLP over the issue.
The move by unionists comes before a flag debate at Belfast City Hall next month.
The Alliance Party says the leaflets contain "false information and untrue allegations aimed at misleading the public on what has been a long-term Alliance policy."
The leaflets are printed in Alliance’s distinctive yellow colour and contain the address and contact details for the party’s offices.
It urges readers to "contact the Alliance Party and let them know we don’t want our flag torn down from City Hall."
Councillor Maire Hendron said: "I am absolutely disgusted at the level some of my counterparts on Belfast City Council have stooped to on this matter. I know the DUP and the UUP are behind these leaflets, manipulating voters across Belfast by creating unnecessary anger and fear.
"These leaflets are in poor taste and full of wrong information. A public consultation was carried out into the future of the flag, but these figures are yet to be released. I certainly don't have access to them so I find it hard to understand how the so-called findings have been published in this way.
"The Alliance Party has always had a policy of designated days when it comes to flying the Union Flag over the City Hall. Not only is this the status quo at Stormont - where the DUP's MLAs make no complaint -but it is in line with the recommendation of the Equality Commission.
"I would like a full apology from those behind this outrageous attack on the Alliance Party. Constituents across Belfast also deserve an apology as they should expect better from elected representatives."
(IT)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
