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DUP's Christopher Stalford meets residents of bonfire-damaged flats

DUP South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford attended a meeting with residents on Tuesday night
DUP South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford attended a meeting with residents on Tuesday night DUP South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford attended a meeting with residents on Tuesday night

A DUP assembly member has met with residents of an apartment block a fortnight after it was damaged by a loyalist bonfire in Belfast.

Christopher Stalford and local community workers attended the private meeting at the Victoria Place flats on Tuesday night.

It is believed to be the first time a DUP politician has attended a meeting with residents to discuss the bonfire damage.

Windows at the apartment block were left shattered and cracked due to the Eleventh Night pyre off Sandy Row.

Residents have been left asking questions over who will pay for repairs, and have called for action to prevent bonfire problems in future years.

The behind-closed-doors meeting is thought to have involved fewer than 10 attendees.

Those who took part included South Belfast MLA Mr Stalford and representatives of some Sandy Row community groups.

Sources told The Irish News that discussions suggested the bonfire was likely to remain on the same site in future years.

However, residents were told efforts would be made to have it built further away from the apartment block.

The meeting follows criticism of Mr Stalford and his party colleague, South Belfast MP Emma Little Pengelly, over their response to concerns about the bonfire.

Mr Stalford faced a backlash after a BBC interview in which he twice refused to say if he accepted that the bonfire was too close to the apartments.

And the DUP was urged to "stop hiding" after failing to attend a meeting with residents last week.

In a letter to residents last week, Ms Pengelly said she understood the blaze would have been "frightening" and that she wanted to "ensure this does not happen again".

The South Belfast MP added that she had spoken to some of residents and offered to meet those affected.

In a statement yesterday, a DUP spokeswoman described Tuesday's meeting as "constructive and positive".

"South Belfast DUP MLA Christopher Stalford, local community workers and local residents from Victoria Place met last night," she said.

"It was a constructive and positive meeting. We recognise the importance of securing a positive outcome for everyone involved."

Meanwhile, a Sinn Féin councillor has said a government fund should be set up to pay for loyalists to learn about their culture and stop them building dangerous bonfires.

Jim McVeigh, the party's group leader on Belfast City Council, said it would encourage unionist communities to "celebrate your culture in a different way".