A Co Antrim politician has threatened legal action against his own council in a bid to stop it flying a merchant navy ensign which includes a Union flag.
Independent councillor Padraig McShane issued the threat after Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council agreed to fly the British merchant navy flag on buildings to mark ‘merchant navy day’.
The flag is usually flown from British merchant navy ships.
The council wants to fly the flag from offices in Coleraine, Ballymoney and Limavady - none of which are coastal towns - on September 3.
It is expected it will also be flown in the mainly nationalist seaside town of Ballycastle.
It is understood the flag will be flown on council property in the town’s harbour after it emerged there is no flagpole at the main council office.
The decision was taken after a request by Seafarers UK - a charity which helps former sea workers and their families.
Unionists caused controversy earlier this year after they revealed plans to fly the Union flag on selected buildings, including its main Ballycastle office, on every working day of the year.
The proposal is currently going through an equality impact assessment.
Mr McShane claims the Union flag has never flown from council buildings in Ballycastle and the majority of local people are opposed to the move.
He said the council has “pre-empted” the outcome of its own equality impact assessment on flags by agreeing to fly the ‘red ensign’.
“If the new council is unable or unwilling to make decisions in line with equality and its own policies I am obliged to ensure the courts make those decisions for them,” he said.
“It’s an unfortunate outcome that councillors are blinded by the need for territorial marking and not sufficiently mature to make simple decisions on behalf of everyone in the borough.
“It’s designed to be provocative in an area like Ballycastle.”
Michael Brentnall of Robert Murtagh and Company solicitors said legal action has been initiated.
DUP councillor George Duddy, who proposed the ensign motion, defended the decision last night.
“The red ensign should not be seen as provocative or sectarian,” he said.
“As regards to Padraig McShane the same flag is flown on the Rathlin Ferry, which I am sure he has travelled on.
“I am sure he raised no concerns on the Rathlin Ferry and I can’t understand why he would have concerns to recognise the valuable contribution of those who serve under the flag.”
