Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Yesterday the Assembly Commission voted to change Stormont’s policy on the flying of the Union Flag.
“The Union Flag will now fly an additional 3 days a year.
“However, a proposal that the flag fly 356 days a year was only defeated because two MLA designated as Unionists in the Assembly gifted their votes on the Commission to the anti-Unionist Alliance Party – Basil McCrea and John McCallister. Another, Claire Sugden, withdrew her vote from the UUP.
“Because of the actions of these three MLAs the vote on the Commission was tied and the casting vote went to the Sinn Fein Speaker who, of course, opposed the proposal to fly the Union Flag all year round.
“It is important to remember that a 365 day policy would have brought Northern Ireland into line with the practice at Westminster and the Welsh Assembly.
“The Commission dragged its feet on this issue for far too long but Unionists will doubtless remember the actions of these three MLAs when it comes to the election next year.”