Belfast metropolis councillors, aside from the DUP have voted to cease the Union flag flying from Metropolis Corridor to mark the Duke of York’s birthday.
The vote comes as Andrew is going through a civil sexual assault case within the US.
He strongly denies the allegations.
SDLP Sinn Fein and Alliance councillors backed a movement on the council’s Strategic Coverage and Assets Committee on Friday to cease the annual marking of Andrew’s birthday within the metropolis.
The Union flag flies at half mast over Belfast Metropolis Corridor following the announcement of the dying of the Duke of Edinburgh on the age of 99 (Brian Lawless/PA)
(PA Archive)
However DUP councillors voted in opposition to it, saying the end result of the trial ought to be awaited.
A Sinn Fein spokesperson confirmed their councillors backed the transfer, including that to fly a flag at Metropolis Corridor for Andrew’s birthday “could be completely inappropriate”.
The choice is to be ratified on the subsequent full assembly of the council which is able to come on February 1, forward of Andrew’s birthday on February 19.
The Duke of York stopped utilizing his HRH fashion and was stripped of his prestigious honorary navy roles by the Queen earlier this month.
The problem of the flying of the Union flag from Metropolis Corridor has been controversial prior to now, with a call in 2012 by councillors to restrict the variety of days it’s flown from all yr spherical to designated days sparking protests and dysfunction.
SDLP councillor Donal Lyons, who proposed the movement, expressed disappointment that the DUP didn’t help it.
He mentioned he steered working with unionist councillors to seek out another day to fly the flag to retain the full variety of designated days that it’s flown from Metropolis Corridor.
Alliance councillor Nuala McAllister proposed July 1 in its place date, which is a date marked by Orange Order marches. That’s set to be thought of by the committee.
She mentioned her celebration has additionally written to the UK authorities (DCMS) to ask them to take away Prince Andrew’s birthday from the checklist of designated days for flying the flag.
Mr Lyons mentioned: “It’s extraordinarily disheartening that regardless of my try to discover a resolution that may accommodate all events, whereas saving the council from the spectacle of honouring somebody going through the allegations earlier than Prince Andrew, the DUP has obstinately rejected the proposal and appears adamant on pushing council to recognise this man.
“I can not see why any councillor would wish to fly the Union flag from Metropolis Corridor to mark the birthday of Prince Andrew.
“He has been stripped of all his royal duties, navy honours and his household have distanced themselves from him because of the controversy surrounding him, however nonetheless the DUP wish to see him honoured in Belfast.”
A Sinn Fein spokesperson mentioned: “Sinn Fein backed the proposal to not fly a flag at Metropolis Corridor for Prince Andrew’s birthday as it could be completely inappropriate to take action.”
DUP councillor Brian Kingston responded: “We must always abide by the council’s coverage of implementing the flag days designated by the Division for Digital, Tradition, Media & Sports activities at Westminster.
“We’re definitely not blind to the allegations of gross misconduct by Prince Andrew and we share within the deep concern about these, however we should always await the end result of the trial.
“We’re additionally conscious that the SDLP and Sinn Fein have kind on the flying of the Union flag from our Metropolis Corridor, that they voted to take away it fully, day by day of the yr, in 2012, so we aren’t blind to that both.”
Kaynak: briturkish.com
