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Flying the flag blows up into an Olympic storm

By Victor Gordon
Saturday, 30 August 2008

Deputy Mayor, Arnold Hatch, hoisting the official Olympic flag at Craigavon Civic Centre on Sunday

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A Sinn Fein councillor has written a letter of protest to the Equality Commission after the organisation refused to ban the flying of the 2012 British Olympics Flag that incorporated a Union Flag design.

The flag — with the red-white-and-blue British Lion logo — fluttered over Craigavon Civic Centre for four hours on Sunday afternoon, coinciding with the hand-over from the Beijing Olympics to London.

Councillor Johnny McGibbon claimed it went against council policy — and contravened legal advice from the borough solicitor.

He added: “A couple of years ago, the council decided that the Union Flag would fly over the Civic Centre only on specific days which were agreed among the parties.

“This flag is based on the Union Flag and therefore, in my view, contravenes the policy. When it came to a vote on the Olympics Flag, unionists supported it and nationalists voted against, and unionists won the day.”

In the meantime, the opinion of the commission was sought; it stated it would take no issue with the flying of the flag as it would be for a short time on a day when the Civic Centre was closed and that it related to the wider issue of the Olympics in which Northern Ireland would be participating.

Said Mr McGibbon: “There was also a choice of a plain Olympics Flag that did not incorporate the Union Flag and I proposed this one could be flown, but I was out-voted. The council had an opportunity to show leadership and to send out a signal to the nationalist population, but again it failed.”

Deputy Mayor Arnold Hatch (UUP) — who is also President of the NI Local Government Association — actually hoisted the flag on Sunday.

He said: “This is typical of Sinn Fein councillors. They are totally opposed to all things British, and when the commission — which usually finds in their favour — actually opposed them, they react like spoilt children.”

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25 Comments

This another stupid argument over nothing. Having lived in England for almost 40 years I have never witnessed a Union Flag flying from anyones home. I suspect they have true respect for their flag and know that it is too important to allow it to become trapped in a war by Windbags - Sinn Fein/Unionists.

Reading the comments it is patently obvious that Unionists still believe that the 6 Counties are for them alone. Get wise , grow up and SHOW RESPECT to the flag.

Posted by Henry C | 01.09.08, 15:33 GMT

I'm currently living in England and have not been following NI news for a while. I'm just wondering what northern irish people think about the fact that the olympic team's name has been changed from GB&NI to Team GB. It seems that Northern Ireland have been subtly dropped from the British team (as Great Britain strictly refers to the mainland). This situation is made more obvious when it's noted that more athletes from NI represented Ireland (7, I think though I may be wrong) than Team GB (3, of whom at least 2 currently reside on the mainland).

Posted by Craig | 01.09.08, 09:51 GMT

Sinn Fein = Shame Faced. Grow up and come into the 21st century. They will do anything to keep the pot well stirred and keep the tension high.

Posted by Michael | 01.09.08, 01:24 GMT

"Said Mr McGibbon: “There was also a choice of a plain Olympics Flag that did not incorporate the Union Flag and I proposed this one could be flown, but I was out-voted. The council had an opportunity to show leadership and to send out a signal to the nationalist population, but again it failed.”
So the Shin Fane man wanted a 'special flag' just for his party? TOO BAD ON HIM. It is the BRITISH Olympic flag ,WE are BRITISH and if they don't like it, LEAVE ULSTER - for good. BTW Paddy, This is NOT Ireland, it is as you say, Northern Ireland which has NO part of ireland.

Posted by Colin | 01.09.08, 00:48 GMT

Grow up Sinn Fein. You live and govern in the UK - it's the flag of the country. This has nothing to do with Sinn Fein's Orwellian version of 'equality'.

Posted by Paul | 31.08.08, 14:21 GMT

Its time Sinn Fein grew up and matured. After all Britain and Germany for the most part get on . Perhaps Sinn Fein see devils were none exist. Maybe they need counselling or lobotomies, whichever is easier.

Posted by Witch Finder General | 31.08.08, 12:35 GMT

Is Mr McGibbon next going to suggest that the Irish Athletes boycott the 2012 Olympics as the logo is incompatible with some views on flag flying.
Stop mixing sport with politics, this is any excuse to bring up the same old arguments and petty in the extreme.
If Ireland ever host the Olympics their Olympic logo flag will be flown across the world.
I suppose I could propose we ban some foreign language translation guides in shops and airports next -as some denote that they are English speaking versions using the Union flag.
I never respond on these comment sheets but seriously - start doing something more important.

Posted by L Stevenson | 31.08.08, 12:24 GMT

Think I know the problem here! Ireland didn't get any gold this year and now he's thinking they're gonna get a kicking right in the heartland of the auld enemy in 2012! Loser!!

Posted by johnh | 31.08.08, 11:54 GMT

Please, can we just stop for a moment and think? Seriously now, really? It's the Olympics logo. Grow up.

Posted by Quintin | 31.08.08, 11:36 GMT

Mr McGibbon needs to get a life, it's not actually the Union Jack that's flying, it's a design that incoprorates the colours Red, White and Blue,

Posted by Darran | 31.08.08, 06:02 GMT

Like I always say the british flag should never be flown without the tricolour and that goes equally for the olympics flag particularly when northern ireland is going to be taking part. Yes this is northern ireland and is also a british colony but, it is still ireland and still has its own flag, if certain people here can't recognize 1 of the main flags of this province of ireland then quite frankly they're not looking at the bigger picture and could very well be considered as idiots. The tricolor hasn't yet been incorp[orated into the union flag and for that reason is an unacceptable union flag. roughly 750.000 either way all should be considered.

Posted by paddy | 31.08.08, 02:39 GMT

Everyone - get real. There must be a lot more important issues to engage our elected representatives. Have we been unable to move on - at least from the "Battle of Divis Street" in I think 1964 when a certain so called religious "gentleman" byt he name of, if I am not mistaken, Ian (something or other) provoked a riot.

Posted by Terence | 31.08.08, 01:17 GMT

The olympics is an event that is inclusive of all people of the world. Inclusive of all races and religions.
I do believe that the Republic of Ireland are included in the olympics.
The United Kingdom is hosting the olympics and the logo includes the UK flag. Big deal. I do believe the flag is being flown in a part of the United Kingdom. Whats the problem here?
This Sinn Fein councillor and whoever he speaks for should get a life.

Posted by jonny | 30.08.08, 23:29 GMT

Would he like it to be green white and orange. It is actually none of his business to complain. The Olympica are being hosted by London, not Belfast or Dublin. Things must be much better in Northern Ireland, if that is all he has to complain about. Sounds like a piece of bigotry on Mr. Mc Gibbon's side. As John says below-Get a life.

Posted by canuck | 30.08.08, 19:48 GMT

GET A LIFE!!!... The 2012 Games will benefit the WHOLE of the UK and the spin-off could be tremendous for NORTHRN IRELAND!!!!, is this guy for real or what!!??... Surely Sinn Fein have more to worry about than something that will hopefully bring millions of pounds to the economy. They need to stop acting like spoilt children and relise there is a lot more to life that stupid flags. I voted for Sinn Fein last election thinking they had changed but myself and many of my friends and family will be voting SDLP next time around. Time for a change from the bickering of the typical SF/DUP!!!

Posted by Sean | 30.08.08, 18:03 GMT

Well said, Seamus McClelland, I couldn' agree more!

If anyone should be contacting the Equality Commission, it is the people who are being insulted by the disrespect shown to their flag. Talk about the tail wagging the dog? As Seamus pointed out, more than one million people here hold allegiance to the Union flag. Why should they be dictated to by this narrow-minded man with his outmoded predjudices?

Posted by David | 30.08.08, 17:27 GMT

The Quebec contingent at the recent Olympic Games wanted to display the 'fleurs de lys' regional flag in their athletes' village quarters. Rightly, the Chinese authorities refused permission. We have one flag in Canada, there should be 1 flag for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, The Union Jack.

Posted by tommy hall | 30.08.08, 17:16 GMT