THE DUP has distanced itself from a UDA-linked group's Facebook post about a Belfast bonfire that referred to one of the party's MLAs.
Donegall Road UPRG (Ulster Political Research Group) posted a statement saying there would be no comment from community representatives about a bonfire that damaged an apartment block in south Belfast.
The online message ended with two names including that of DUP South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford.
However, the DUP insisted it was not a statement from him, and instead he had simply been 'tagged' in a post used by the UPRG page.
The message described the bonfire damage to the Victoria Place flats near Sandy Row last month as "regrettable", but said there "will be no comment from community reps".
"Leadership will be sought from unionist politicians and South Belfast UPRG to offer support in delivering positive, respectful and safe cultural celebrations around the run-up to the bonfire next year," it read.
The message was posted on the UPRG page last Thursday.
A DUP spokeswoman insisted it was not a statement from Mr Stalford, adding: "Christopher had no knowledge of this statement."
Donegall Road UPRG said the message was originally posted by a Sandy Row community worker who had tagged Mr Stalford in the message.
