STORMONT'S Christmas tree was one of the early victims of Storm Barra yesterday.
The top of the conifer was broken off as high winds buffeted the notoriously exposed hill site in east Belfast.
Assembly member and political advisors posted pictures of the stricken tree on social media, with some suggesting it held a "metaphor" for the Northern Ireland government and assembly itself.
One Twitter user remarked the Christmas tree "is as stable as the government".
It is understood to have been damaged in the early morning winds and the dislocated trunk and branches were fenced off, leading to jokes that it has been "partitioned".
It was put in position on November 24 and survived Storm Arwen just days later.
It was not clear last night whether it would be removed and replaced or the remnants would be festooned for the festive season.
