Statement by TUV North Belfast Assembly candidate Ron McDowell:
“This Friday council buildings across the U.K. will be illuminated to mark the centenary of the creation of Northern Ireland – but as revealed by Belfast Live Belfast City Hall will not be taking part.
“Instead it will be lit in rainbow colours to mark the 40th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Northern Ireland.
“Party group leaders were advised that they were not informed of the request from the Northern Ireland Office because of an “administrative error”.
“It is incumbent on the Council, which hasn’t exactly bowled anyone over its efforts to mark the centenary to spell out how the situation arose. I accept that anyone can make an error but this is a hugely significant event which deserved to marked in Belfast as it is in the rest of the U.K. and it simply isn’t good enough. Was the letter lost? When was it rediscover? What other correspondence is going astray?”