Northern Ireland

TUV candidate John Ross's unveiling of unauthorised Stormont centenary stone 'not a party event'

TUV candidate John Ross unveils the unauthorised centenary stone at Stormont. Picture by Peter Morrison/PressEye
TUV candidate John Ross unveils the unauthorised centenary stone at Stormont. Picture by Peter Morrison/PressEye TUV candidate John Ross unveils the unauthorised centenary stone at Stormont. Picture by Peter Morrison/PressEye

THE TUV has said the unveiling of an unauthorised centenary stone in the Stormont estate by a group that included one of its election candidates was not a party event.

Up to two dozen loyalists unveiled the 2ft high block of granite close to the statue of Sir Edward Carson on Saturday.

The unveiling ceremony appears to have been performed by John Ross, a former platoon sergeant in the Parachute Regiment who plans to stand as the TUV's candidate in East Belfast at the next assembly election.

A pan-unionist proposal to erect a stone monument at Stormont to mark the centenary of the partition of Ireland managed to gain support from the SDLP and Alliance, however, it was claimed Sinn Féin "vetoed" the plan.

The DUP, UUP and TUV submitted a proposal to the Assembly Commission to permanently mark the date within the "curtilage of Parliament Buildings".

The stone unveiled on Saturday, which according to social media was “facilitated by Restore UK”, included a plaque with the Ulster Banner, alongside a quote from unionist leader James Craig.

“Let no man ever think for a moment that I will not stand to the very death if it is necessary in the interests of Ulster and of the Ulster people – For God and Ulster,” it read.

The stone has since been removed.

The TUV said the unveiling was not a party event but a spokesman added: "We do note the speed with which this memorial was removed is in stark contrast to the lack of action from councils and statutory agencies when it comes to illegal memorials to terrorists across Northern Ireland."

Its East Belfast candidate Mr Ross drew criticism earlier this year when he made what were described as "outrageous and inflammatory" about Bloody Sunday.

The Falklands War veteran and former regional manager for DHL Express International said Bloody Sunday, in which 13 unarmed protesters were shot dead and a 14th died later from his injuries, was a "successful operation".