Jim Allister has today written to the Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland, Conal Heatley, in the following terms:
Dear Mr Heatley,
I was appalled to read your comments in the press about changing the use of the Ulster Banner to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.
I find it particularly interesting that in the press report you refer approvingly to David Honeyford’s attempts to get an update on the Flags, Identity, Culture and Traditions Report. It is deeply regrettable that you should politicise Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland by supporting such a divisive report. It is also deeply unwise to hitch CWGNI to the Alliance bandwagon in this fashion.
As you are aware, there is a serious issue in Northern Ireland where many sports organised on an all-Ireland basis afford no avenue for athletes from Northern Ireland to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage under the Union Flag. When I have raised this issue in the past particularly in relation to boxing, the retort has been that boxers compete under the Ulster Banner at the Commonwealth Games.
It is regrettable that you are seeking to move CWGNI away from this position and leave young boxers and other athletes from Northern Ireland who have no affiliation with the Tricolour with no international event where they can compete under a flag they feel represents them.
Yours sincerely,
Jim Allister