Statement by TUV Comber Councillor Stephen Cooper:
“For some years I have been seeking to increase the official flying of our National Flag in Ards and North Down. At the most recent meeting of the council the matter was finally decided with members voting by a clear majority to fly the Union Flag permanently at all 13 war memorials in the borough, and at the council building in Church St. Newtownards.
“I am disgusted, but not at all surprised by the decision of Alliance to use the call-in process to stymie the democratic will of the council which reflects the will of the people of Ards and North Down.
This represents the very antithesis of democracy and usurps the will of those elected into council to represent the views and wishes of the electorate.
There was no concern for the impact on community relations when Alliance chose to cosy up with their fellow travellers in the Republican movement and rip the Union Flag down from Belfast City Hall, where it had flown without controversy for generations.
Any Unionist who is under the illusion about the Alliance party being not part of the pan Nationalist front need look no further than this affront to democracy and see it for what it is, a full frontal assault on our British identity and a clear attempt at diminishing same.
“I will continue to robustly push for the will of the council to be respected. It is only right that our National Flag flies from the former council headquarters at Newtownards and at all war memorials to our fallen heroes who died in the service of the nation it represents.”