A FRESH resh flag dispute has broken out in Mid Ulster after the DUP called for the Union flag to be flown from council buildings to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday next month.
DUP councillor Clement Cutherbertson has proposed a motion calling for the flag to be flown from all council buildings to mark her birthday on June 11.
However, nationalist politicians last night said they will not be supporting the controversial motion.
The nationalist controlled council currently has a no flags policy.
Tensions around cultural symbols have been rising in the council area in recent weeks after the Royal British Legion lodged plans to build a war memorial in the middle of Magherafelt - a majority nationalist town – prompting dozens of objections.
Earlier this week the Irish News revealed that a Union flag which flies in the centre of Magherafelt is also set to be removed as part of regeneration work currently being carried out by the council.
The Mid Ulster council was formed last year when Magherafelt, Cookstown and Dungannon councils merged as part of local government restructuring.
Mr Cutherbertson has said his motion calling for the flying of the flag is “in line with the government’s designated days for union flag flying”.
DUP group leader in Mid Ulster Paul McLean said he expects nationalists to back the motion.
“We don’t believe it should be controversial in any shape or form,” he said.
“It’s standing on its own merit, it’s not an annual event.
“We are expecting support for the motion and for it to go through smoothly.
He added that the motion provided an opportunity for republicans to "show they are not prejudiced against minority unionists within Mid Ulster.”
Sinn Féin councillor Sean McPeake said his party will be following the council’s existing flag policy.
“It’s a pre-ordained outcome, it will not be getting support from Sinn Féin,” he said.
The SDLP’s Martin Kearney said his party will also be supporting the council’s policy.
