Northern Ireland

First minister's father says 'nobody should be offended' by flags flying at Lisburn mixed development

The flags at Thaxton in Lisburn. Picture by Twitter
The flags at Thaxton in Lisburn. Picture by Twitter The flags at Thaxton in Lisburn. Picture by Twitter

THE DUP councillor father of First Minister Paul Givan has said nobody should feel threatened by the flying of the "national flag" close to a new mixed development in Lisburn.

But SDLP MLA for the area Pat Catney has said Alan Givan would be "better advising" his son to publish the long-delayed report of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition.

Mr Givan Snr, who earlier this month suggested his son may have been nominated as first minister "too early", told the News Letter that flags erected at a roundabout in Thaxton , close to the loyalist Ballymacash area, were not paramilitary in nature but Union flags, an 'Ulster banner' and flags for Ballymacash football team.

“It’s the national flag, and these people are loyal to the UK, and want to fly it,” he said.

“Now unfortunately we’re in a position nowadays it’s nearly a crime."

Mr Catney said Thaxton is a "diverse community with people and families from all traditions".

He said significant numbers of residents had "expressed sincere concerns about what they see as territory marking in the area".

“The first minister’s father can level all the accusations he wants but it wont move this situation on one bit," the SDLP MLA said.

"He would be better advising Paul Givan to publish the report of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition that has been kept hidden from the public by the Executive Office so that we can comprehensively address these issues and focus on building a stronger, more united community."