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13/12/2012
UUP Disciplines Member Over Flag Comments
The Ulster Unionist Party has disciplined one of its members for comments made regarding the flag dispute at Belfast City Hall.
Party leader Mike Nesbitt, has claimed Basil McCrea has done "enormous damage".
The move follows Mr McCrea’s comments that there should be all-party talks to resolve the flags issue.
The Lagan Valley MLA criticised the decision by the main unionist parties to take the flags issue to the Assembly Commission.
Mr Nesbitt said Mr McCrea's "inability to exercise self-discipline or demonstrate the basic characteristics of teamwork are doing enormous damage to the Ulster Unionist Party.
"For the reasons of lack of self-discipline and teamwork, and for those reasons only, he has left me no choice but to remove the party whip with immediate effect," he added.
A meeting of the Assembly Commission to discuss the flag issue did not go ahead on Tuesday because there were not enough members present.
Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance boycotted the meeting.
Mr McCrea said the past two weeks had been a "disaster for Northern Ireland, the business community in Belfast and the pro-union family.
"The negative images conveyed throughout the world are destroying jobs, businesses and our prospects for peace and prosperity," he said.
Protests have been ongoing over the past ten days following a decision by Belfast City Council to remove the flag from Belfast City Hall and only fly it on designated days.
Politicians from Northern Ireland’s main parties have received death threats and had their offices attacked following the flag decision.
(IT)
Party leader Mike Nesbitt, has claimed Basil McCrea has done "enormous damage".
The move follows Mr McCrea’s comments that there should be all-party talks to resolve the flags issue.
The Lagan Valley MLA criticised the decision by the main unionist parties to take the flags issue to the Assembly Commission.
Mr Nesbitt said Mr McCrea's "inability to exercise self-discipline or demonstrate the basic characteristics of teamwork are doing enormous damage to the Ulster Unionist Party.
"For the reasons of lack of self-discipline and teamwork, and for those reasons only, he has left me no choice but to remove the party whip with immediate effect," he added.
A meeting of the Assembly Commission to discuss the flag issue did not go ahead on Tuesday because there were not enough members present.
Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance boycotted the meeting.
Mr McCrea said the past two weeks had been a "disaster for Northern Ireland, the business community in Belfast and the pro-union family.
"The negative images conveyed throughout the world are destroying jobs, businesses and our prospects for peace and prosperity," he said.
Protests have been ongoing over the past ten days following a decision by Belfast City Council to remove the flag from Belfast City Hall and only fly it on designated days.
Politicians from Northern Ireland’s main parties have received death threats and had their offices attacked following the flag decision.
(IT)
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St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
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