Statement by Cllr Timothy Gaston:
“2016 is a year of celebration: the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday celebrations and our annual Armed forces day.
“The UK is a proud nation with a lot to celebrate, and everyone should be proud to promote and celebrate as they see fit. For many people that will involve patriotic bunting and flags to mark the celebrations.
“In that context it is gutter politics for Cllr O’Loan to begrudge residents of Ballymena the flying of the union flag. One would say it is the height of hypocrisy given that he has made no comment regarding Irish tricolours which are adorned in other areas of the town.
“I for one I’m proud that residents in Ballymena have made the effort to mark 2016 in such colour, and I hope they are not deterred by the sniping of Mr Grinch Cllr O’Loan.”