Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister MLA:
“That an extremist group should have claimed responsibility for the Republican flags which flew on Stormont should give some politicians pause for thought. A few days ago John Dallat was complaining about the police treating the matter too seriously. Similarly, Trevor Lunn of Alliance dismissed the incident as a couple of workmen “had some fun” at the expense of Unionists.
“Both Alliance and the SDLP should reflect on what they have said. I believe it is now clear that they need to withdraw their comments and apologise.
“There is clearly a desire to sweep this matter under the carpet at Stormont. That much was clear when my attempt to secure discussion of the matter by way of an urgent oral question on Monday was rejected. Similarly the Assembly Commission has suspended their investigation until after PSNI inquires are completed. There was no such problem when it came to the expenses scandal. Then an Assembly Commission inquiry (for what it was worth) could take place at the same time as the PSNI investigation into allegations aired in the Spotlight programmes.
“This was always an extremely serious incident but with this news it has taken on an even more sinister character. It is incumbent upon both the PSNI and the Stormont authorities to threat this matter with the utmost seriousness”.