TUV leader Jim Allister has condemned a threatening loyalist banner carried during a protest he addressed, describing it as "inappropriate".
The banner, which included the words 'Dublin's choice - peace or protocol' was carried through Newtownards, Co Down, during an anti-protocol protest last Friday.
It also included an image of the Clyde Valley, a ship used to smuggle UVF guns into Ireland in 1914, and a picture of Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.
Mr Allister was one of several speakers who addressed hundreds of loyalists including former British government minister Kate Hoey, loyalist Jamie Bryson and ex Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib.
He said today he did not see the large banner, which was carried at the head of the protest, and later laid on the ground in front of a lorry trailer from which he addressed the crowd.
When pressed to "call it out" by Alliance Party MLA Stephen Farry, Mr Allister said he would "take no lessons from anti-unionist Stephen Farry who thinks unionism should suck it up, roll over and live under Dublin rule".
"I didn't see the poster, I am not threatening violence to anyone, it is wrong to threaten violence," he also told the BBC.
When asked if he would condemn the poster he said "yes, that poster is wholly inappropriate" and later described it as "reckless".
In a statement the Ards and North Down Loyalist Collective, which represents all the loyalist groupings in the area, said: "If those in power do not listen, the message will grow louder."
The banner was carried on the same day the Loyalist Communities Council, an umbrella group for the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando, said Irish government ministers and officials are not welcome in the north.
