A Co DOWN pastor has appeared in court charged with obstructing police, five months after loyalist flag protester Jamie Bryson was arrested at his home.
Mark Gordon, from lismore avenue in Bangor, appeared before Newtownards magistrates court yesterday to face the charge which dates from February this year.
Mr Bryson (23) was in court to support him. a solicitor representing the 50-year-old pastor, whom the court heard earned a "substantial" wage, made an application for legal aid, which was refused by Deputy District Judge Joe McCrisken.
Following this his legal representative requested to come off record.
When asked by Judge Mc-Crisken how he wanted to proceed, the pastor said he would be pleading "not guilty if you are taking away my right to legal aid".
He said he would be contacting traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim allister to act as his 'McKenzie Friend' - a legal adviser role.
Mr Gordon was ordered to appear back at Newtonwards magistrates court on august 21. the charge relates to the arrest of flag protester Jamie Bryson earlier this year as part of the operation Dulcet investigations into the loyalist flag disturbances.
n Caption: Mark Gordon, left and Jamie Bryson