NON-unionist parties on Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council have criticised the local authority for flying the Union flag tomorrow to mark 'Brexit Day'.
The decision to fly the flag comes after a bid to mark the occasion by lighting its Lisburn headquarters in blue was defeated.
A joint statement from the Green, Sinn Féin, SDLP and Alliance councillors on the council said Ulster Unionist Jim Dillon's proposal that the Union flag be flown was accepted by DUP mayor Alan Givan, who "used his prerogative to do so without putting the matter to a vote".
"Despite being urged to reconsider misusing the office of mayor, which is meant to be non-political and bring people together, the decision stood," the statement said.
“Our parties ask that the mayor reflect on his decision to mark the UK’s departure from the European Union by flying the Union flag, given the new co-operative approach being adopted at Stormont."
The parties said they respected the right of those who wish to celebrate Brexit but object to it being given the "stamp of civic approval".
