Statement by TUV Vice Chairman Richard Cairns:
“Getting children interested in and enjoying sport is something that we can all unite around. It provides a healthy form of exercise and children can have many role models they can seek to emulate.
“We all must be careful not to politicise sport, and none more so than the media who can shape how young children perceive the world.
“TUV were contacted by a concerned parent of a young boy, who through a Belfast Telegraph initiative was provided with a Rugby World Cup 2015 pupil workbook. This work book involved collecting stickers of flags representing the countries taking part in the World Cup.
“Sadly, and running contrary to the IRFU flags protocol, the Belfast Telegraph had assigned an Irish tricolour to represent the Ireland Rugby team instead of the IRFU Flag. The IRFU flag is viewed as politically neutral in recognition that both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland through their provincial set up make up the Ireland team.
“I am glad that when the Belfast Telegraph were asked for an explanation they have offered a full apology:
This is a very unfortunate and uncharacteristic error and was in no way intended to cause offence to anyone, nor was it intended to convey any political preference of the paper or the players.
It was as I say an error on our part in terms of the correct representation of the Irish Rugby Team as opposed to any particular part of the island of Ireland.
We recognise and acknowledge the mistake made and would like to extend our apologies.
“Politics should not come into sport. I welcome the apology and hope the same mistake will not be repeated in the future.”