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13/12/2012
UUP Disciplines Member Over Flag Comments
The Ulster Unionist Party has disciplined one of its members for comments made regarding the flag dispute at Belfast City Hall.
Party leader Mike Nesbitt, has claimed Basil McCrea has done "enormous damage".
The move follows Mr McCrea’s comments that there should be all-party talks to resolve the flags issue.
The Lagan Valley MLA criticised the decision by the main unionist parties to take the flags issue to the Assembly Commission.
Mr Nesbitt said Mr McCrea's "inability to exercise self-discipline or demonstrate the basic characteristics of teamwork are doing enormous damage to the Ulster Unionist Party.
"For the reasons of lack of self-discipline and teamwork, and for those reasons only, he has left me no choice but to remove the party whip with immediate effect," he added.
A meeting of the Assembly Commission to discuss the flag issue did not go ahead on Tuesday because there were not enough members present.
Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance boycotted the meeting.
Mr McCrea said the past two weeks had been a "disaster for Northern Ireland, the business community in Belfast and the pro-union family.
"The negative images conveyed throughout the world are destroying jobs, businesses and our prospects for peace and prosperity," he said.
Protests have been ongoing over the past ten days following a decision by Belfast City Council to remove the flag from Belfast City Hall and only fly it on designated days.
Politicians from Northern Ireland’s main parties have received death threats and had their offices attacked following the flag decision.
(IT)
Party leader Mike Nesbitt, has claimed Basil McCrea has done "enormous damage".
The move follows Mr McCrea’s comments that there should be all-party talks to resolve the flags issue.
The Lagan Valley MLA criticised the decision by the main unionist parties to take the flags issue to the Assembly Commission.
Mr Nesbitt said Mr McCrea's "inability to exercise self-discipline or demonstrate the basic characteristics of teamwork are doing enormous damage to the Ulster Unionist Party.
"For the reasons of lack of self-discipline and teamwork, and for those reasons only, he has left me no choice but to remove the party whip with immediate effect," he added.
A meeting of the Assembly Commission to discuss the flag issue did not go ahead on Tuesday because there were not enough members present.
Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance boycotted the meeting.
Mr McCrea said the past two weeks had been a "disaster for Northern Ireland, the business community in Belfast and the pro-union family.
"The negative images conveyed throughout the world are destroying jobs, businesses and our prospects for peace and prosperity," he said.
Protests have been ongoing over the past ten days following a decision by Belfast City Council to remove the flag from Belfast City Hall and only fly it on designated days.
Politicians from Northern Ireland’s main parties have received death threats and had their offices attacked following the flag decision.
(IT)
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UUP Councillors Criticise McCrea Flag Remark
The three Ulster Unionist Party councillors have demanded Basil McCrea be disciplined over his remarks that the Alliance Party was right to suggest the union flag only be flown on designated days over City Hall. Mr McCrea made the comments, saying he agreed with the decision, on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show.
UUP Councillors Criticise McCrea Flag Remark
The three Ulster Unionist Party councillors have demanded Basil McCrea be disciplined over his remarks that the Alliance Party was right to suggest the union flag only be flown on designated days over City Hall. Mr McCrea made the comments, saying he agreed with the decision, on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show.
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Former UUP MP dies aged 81
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Former Ulster Unionist MP Cecil Walker has died today after suffering a heart attack. The MP for north Belfast between 1983 and 2001, Sir Cecil lost his seat to the DUP's Nigel Dodds. Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey said: “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Walker family at this sad time.
06 March 2013
St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
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