Statement by TUV North Belfast candidate Ron McDowell:
“Doug Beattie’s comments in the Belfast Telegraph about the playing of our National Anthem at Northern Ireland matches are extremely disappointing. I have stood on the terraces at Windsor Park on many nights and along with thousands of others sung the God Save the Queen with passion and pride. The Green and White Army are not just comfortable with the Anthem but proud of it. It unites fans rather than dividing them.
“I am proud to stand for TUV, a party which made its stand on the Anthem clear in its manifesto launched last week where we say: “TUV will also contend in favour of the playing of the National Anthem at major sporting events.”
“On that matter I believe Doug Beattie is badly out of touch with grassroots Unionists and indeed football fans.
“In truth, Northern Ireland matches are one of the few official occasions where the Anthem is still sung. Unionists should guard it jealously.
“The real sporting scandal which Unionists should be campaigning on is the issue of young sports men and women who do not have the right to choose which national flag they compete under. Many sports deny people from Northern Ireland the right to compete under the Union Flag at the Olympics. TUV will fight for the right of athletes from Northern Ireland in all sports to compete on the international stage for the United Kingdom. And we will certainly fight any attempt to scrap the Anthem at Northern Ireland matches.”