Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“The flying of an Irish tricolour over Stormont this afternoon – regardless of how briefly – is a serious breach of protocol and absolutely unacceptable.
“The incident demands an immediate and through investigation by the Assembly Commission and given the provocative nature of the stunt there should also be a police investigation.
“Regardless of who was responsible for the erection of the flag robust action must be taken against them swiftly to ensure that there is no repeat of this.
“Hopefully the incident will help to focus minds on the outrageous policy of the Assembly when it comes to the flying of flags.
“The issue of flying the Union Flag at Stormont on a daily basis – as is the norm at Westminster and the Welsh Assembly and was also the policy at Holyrood until the SNP came to power at which point they enforced a designated days – has been something TUV has been campaigning about for a considerable period of time.
“Remember progress on this issue has been promised on this issue since the centenary of the Covenant in September 2012 – when the failure of Stormont to display the National Flag during the huge Orange demonstration angered many Unionists.
“While all Unionists will – I hope – unite to ensure there is no repeat of this incident and those responsible are dealt with robustly it is incumbent on Unionists represented on the Assembly Commission to explain when we can expect a resolution of the issue of the flying of the Union Flag at Parliament Buildings”.