Northern Ireland

DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly silent over UVF flags in constituency's shared housing development

Emma Little-Pengelly has not commented over the appearance of UVF flags at Cantrell Close 
Emma Little-Pengelly has not commented over the appearance of UVF flags at Cantrell Close  Emma Little-Pengelly has not commented over the appearance of UVF flags at Cantrell Close 

DUP South Belfast MP Emma Little-Pengelly remained silent yesterday in the face of calls to take a stand over a display of loyalist "paramilitary" flags in a shared housing development in her constituency.

The UVF paramilitary flags, along with Union and other flags, appeared in Cantrell Close off Ravenhill Road at the weekend.

It is the third year in a row that flags at the mixed development, which was part of the Stormont Executive's `Together Building a United Community' programme, have caused controversy.

In 2018 the flags were erected in May, with this year's display taking place within the parameters of a recently launched flags protocol, agreed after several months of engagement between Ms Little Pengelly and other interested parties and East Belfast Community Initiative (EBCI).

The organisation has the support of linked loyalist organisations in east Belfast, North Down and Newtownards and its protocol states flags will not be erected until June 1 and removed as soon as practicable following Ulster Day - September 28 - with all flags removed by October 7 at the latest.

Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson, who rose to prominence over the 2013 loyalist flag protests, insisted that those flying in the estate were "perfectly lawful UVF commemorative flags".

"The legal position is they aren't paramilitary flags," he said.

However, the decision to again introduce a flag connected to a loyalist paramilitary group has provoked criticism.

SDLP South East Belfast councillor Séamas de Faoite said the flags "are designed to intimidate and oppress local people".

"Over the last number of years, residents of Cantrell Close have been subjected to vile sectarian threats, forcing some people from their homes," he said.

"This was a housing project designed in a spirit of integration and cohesion. Those seeking to destroy it are throwbacks who want to divide our community. They cannot be allowed to win."

He rejected those claiming the UVF flag on display was a historic banner and insisted it is "bringing a much more sinister element to the usual marking out of territory".

"Whether it is D Company flags on the Falls Road or UVF flags in east Belfast, no paramilitary symbols should be acceptable and I would call on all political leaders in south Belfast to endorse the taking down of these paramilitary flags by the Department for Infrastructure," Mr de Faoite said.

"We need to hear from the MP for South Belfast. Silence cannot be allowed to be interpreted as endorsement or consent."

Ms Little-Pengelly did not respond to requests for comment.

In a statement police said the removal of flags was "not the responsibility" of the PSNI but they were "committed to working with communities and partners to build a safe and inclusive society".

"The most effective solution to this issue is community resolution with engagement between local communities working with local agencies and resulting in local decision-making," inspector Keith Hutchinson said.

"Looking ahead to the coming weeks and months, I can assure residents we will continue to work with communities and partners to find lasting solutions, however, police action on its own is not sufficient; we all need to work together for a confident, peaceful society."

The Department for Infrastructure last night said: "As Cantrell Close has not been adopted, it is not yet part of the public road network. As such, DfI has no responsibility for flags in this area."