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Police take down Ku Klux Klan flag - why not UDA and UVF ones too?

THE quick response by police in removing Ku Klux Klan flags in east Belfast has sparked fresh criticism of the PSNI's policy on the removal of contentious emblems.

There were calls last night for police to adopt a "clear and consistent" approach after officers removed offensive flags from Island Street in east Belfast.

The racist flags were taken down after East Belfast MP Naomi Long complained to police.

The Alliance politician said the appearance of the flags added "an even more sinister edge" to recent race-related incidents in the city.

Police have previously refused to remove divisive flags unless there was a "substantial risk to public safety".

But in recent months officers appear to have strayed from the PSNI's official stance and as recently as Monday loyalists claimed police tried to stop them putting up flags on lampposts near Lisburn Road Police Station.

SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said the PSNI needed to have a "clear and consistent" approach.

"When flags are being used to provoke peace and stability there is an obligation on the PSNI to act swiftly," the South Belfast MP said.

Sinn Féin South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey also called for consistency, saying: "The same rules should apply to all flags which are deemed by local communities to be offensive and unnecessary.

"The PSNI has demonstrated in the past that they will remove flags. That shows that it can be their job to remove flags under certain circumstances."

A voluntary flags protocol in place across the north since 2005, which sought to remove all paramilitary emblems, was abandoned by loyalists at the start of the 2012 loyalist flag protests.