A HARDLINE unionist group has urged bonfire builders to “have nothing to do” with a council which plans to place tough restrictions on loyalist pyres.
The British Truth Forum has previously urged loyalists to boycott Mid Ulster council's controversial bonfire licensing scheme.
The latest comments come just days after it emerged that the council intends to appoint consultants to deal with bonfire builders.
Initially the proposed policy applied to bonfires built on council land but has now been broadened to include all community events held on its property.
The new policy includes “conditions of land use, which set out the minimum requirements for safe, well-managed events, spanning risk assessments, event management plans, insurances and good relations issues".
British Truth Forum spokesman William Lennox urged bonfire builders not to engage with council officials.
“Our advice to all bonfire builders is to have nothing to do with any council representative including those who are trying to hoodwink you into believing they are in support of unionist/British culture remember they are part of council,” he said.
Mr Lennox said that if loyalists take part in the scheme “it will be seen as support for their legislation”.
When details of the council’s plans first emerged last year they sparked an angry response from some unionists and resulted in posters and flags opposing the council being put up in unionist areas.
