Legal action brought against Mid Ulster Council after removal of Union flag erected by loyalist group

The British Truth Forum, a loyalist group which has claimed responsibility for erecting an illegal Union flag and flag pole in Magherafelt town centre, has been accused of ‘stirring up tensions’ in the lead up to the general election. Tensions have been mounting in the south Derry town over the past number of days after an unsanctioned Union flag was erected on an illegal flagpole at a town centre roundabout earmarked for a piece of public artwork. Both the flag and the flag pole were removed by external contractors at the instruction of Mid Ulster Council on Wednesday night, just hours after they had been erected. The following morning (Thursday) up to 15 Union flags were erected on poles in and around the town centre. A sign, stating the British Truth Forum’s intention to lay claim to the roundabout, was also placed at the roundabout. The sign was removed by council workers and a metal barrier was put in place. However, a council spokesperson has confirmed that its employees were subjected to ‘vitriolic abuse’ by onlookers when removing the sign. The County Derry Post can confirm that legal proceedings have now been brought against the Mid Ulster Council following the actions taken to remove the flag. Last year the Mid Ulster District Council voted that the Union flag, which has flown for over 70 years in the town centre, be removed as part of the £1.9 million Public Realm Scheme revamp. It is understood that Union flags have also been erected in other towns across Northern Ireland including Cookstown and Ballymena in unity with the loyalist group. In a statement issued by the British Truth Forum, it alleged that Sinn Féin party members had made a secret deal with the Orange Order over the removal of the Union flag and plans for a World War cenotaph for the town. However last night, these allegations were denied by Sinn Féin party leader, councillor Sean McPeake. He said: “Sinn Féin has not had any discussions with the Orange Order in relation to any proposed war memorial, flags or any other similar matters in Magherafelt. Sinn Féin has however for many years now been seeking all-inclusive discussions on how we can all collectively best recognise and celebrate our shared cultural and identities in an all-inclusive manner. Sinn Féin would welcome any opportunity to do so.” Mr McPeake added: “The title 'British Truth Forum' given by Mr Lennox to his small collective of loyalist elements is a misnomer as he is trying to spin fake news and stir up tensions in our community in support of Arlene Foster's DUP to divert from their involvement in the RHI 'Cash for Ash' scandal.”

Sinn Féin party leader, Sean McPeake last night described the public representative of the British Truth Forum, the loyalist group responsible for erecting an illegal Union flag in Magherafelt town centre, Mr William Lennox as a ‘self-publicist.’ Councillor McPeake said: “Local people are well aware that Mr Lennox is a self-publicist in the same style of his good friend and fellow loyalist protester, Willie Frazer.  Everyone watching events unfold in relation to the Union Flag being erected and then taken down in a zone which is to host a major public art installation to celebrate shared space in the centre of Magherafelt will see through his bogus claims. "While Mr Lennox’s antics at times can be hilarious, his activities and that of his colleagues hiding behind the so-called ‘British Truth Forum’ present real dangers when all right thinking people are trying to create a society where everyone has the right to live free from sectarian intimidation and prejudice.” Local SDLP councillor, Martin Kearney praised the council for their ‘swift action’ in the removal of the flag. He said: “I compliment the council on taking swift and decisive action to remove the unauthorised structure at the roundabout in Magherafelt.  This is not what the people of Magherafelt want to read or hear about.  Earlier that same evening the Planning Committee had just completed another extensive programme of development decisions, one of the highlights being approval of a residential development of 120 dwellings for Magherafelt.  This much needed development is what we want to be promoting and hearing about.  One of the priorities of the Mid Ulster Community Plan, which was devised by the people of Mid Ulster, seeks to promote and develop shared spaces across the entire area, where values and diversity are respected. This must surely be the way forward for us all,” he said. However former Mid Ulster Unionist MLA Sandra Overend expressed her outrage at the decision taken by the council to remove the flag. She said: “I am outraged at what is happening at The Diamond in Magherafelt. The Union Flag is the flag of the United Kingdom and it has flown at The Diamond for as long as I can remember. “There was no need for this situation to arise in the first place. People are angry and the whole situation has been badly handled and has caused a lot of hurt in the unionist community. However despite this, I would call on people to stay calm and use cool heads” she said. Following official confirmation from the Mid Ulster Council that its employees were subjected to ‘vitriolic abuse,’ Chairperson of Mid Ulster Trades Council, Harry Hutchinson said that the council must ‘stand up’ to those responsible for erecting the flag. He said: “I do not think any flags in town centres should be put up as it depicts somewhere which is very territorial. Territorial markings such as flags, have led to the degeneration of some of our towns and villages.   I strongly believe that the majority of the people across Northern Ireland do not want any flags put up in their town centres. “No one has the right to erect these flags.  I believe that the council has to stand up and take responsibility and authority. This may be a long-drawn out affair, but the council must stand up and remove all flags that are dividing our town centres.” In relation to the abuse that was directed to council workers while removing a sign from the roundabout, Mr Hutchinson added: “I absolutely condemn those who shouted abuse to council workers. These are innocent people only doing their jobs, they don’t deserve to be subjected to abuse.” It is understood that former DUP Mid Ulster MLA Keith Buchanan accompanied Mr William Lennox from the British Truth Forum, to place the sign in the town centre roundabout. Speaking after meetings with community representatives and PSNI, Keith Buchanan said: “Over a number of months we have seen a further erosion of the unionist culture in Mid Ulster and Magherafelt. My colleagues on Mid Ulster District Council witness nationalists and republicans trying to overpower our culture.  Questions need to be asked as to who in Mid Ulster District Council made the decision to remove the newly erected flag. There should be no place in Mid Ulster or Northern Ireland for hate crime and if the flag was removed illegally this must be investigated and addressed.”