Union Flag Raised Over City Hall

The union flag has been raised over Belfast City Hall to mark the Duchess of Cambridge’s 31st birthday.

The flag was raised following a sixth consecutive night of rioting and violence from loyalist protesters, who are angry at the council’s decision to restrict the flying of the union flag in line with the rest of the UK.

Previously, the flag had flown all year round, but the nationalist majority at Belfast City Council voted on 3 December to fly it only on designated days.

Nationalists had initially proposed to restrict the flying altogether, but decided to opt for an Alliance Party compromise instead.

January 9 marks the first so-called 'designated day', as it is Kate Middleton’s birthday. The union flag will be raised on government and public buildings throughout the UK.

The next designated day will be 20 January; the birthday of the Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward’s wife.

Last night police were again attacked with petrol bombs and fireworks. Bricks and bottles were thrown by loyalists in Templemore Avenue, off the Lower Newtownards Road.

Before last night’s rioting, the PSNI confirmed there had so far been 106 people arrested, 81 charged and 66 police officers injured.

It is estimated that the cost of policing the protests so far has been about £7m. The PSNI has not confirmed this, but has confirmed that the cost of the disorder during the first two weeks from 3 to 17 December was £3.8m.

Yesterday Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers described the scenes of violence as "depressing" and called for all protests, including those which are peaceful, to stop.

(IT)