World Police and Fire Games Anthems Snub

Admin —  July 30, 2013

Statement by Jim Allister MLA:

“I have been in pursuit of answers from Minister Cullen and the organisers of the World Police and Fire Games for a number of months on the issue of anthems and flags to be displayed at the World Police and Fire Games.

“Having suspected that the Minister simply could not have the National flag or National Anthem it comes as no surprise that there has been a complete fudge which brings the whole situation in to disrepute.

“It has been reported that no anthems for any country will be played at the medal ceremonies, instead they will be subjected to a specially composed piece by the PSNI Pipe Band. At the opening ceremony where athletes usually parade under the flag of their home country they will instead parade under a banner with their country’s name. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, NI Politics
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Complaint Against Phil Flanagan MLA to Progress

Admin —  July 30, 2013

TUV Leader Jim Allister has welcomed confirmation from the Assembly Commissioner for Standards which acknowledges that his complaint against Phil Flanagan MLA (Sinn Fein, Fermanagh and South Tyrone), is to proceed.

The letter from Mr Bane can be found here:http://jimallister.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/5975-Phil-Flanagan.pdf

Mr Allister’s complaint can be found here: http://jimallister.org/wordpress/2013/07/allister-makes-formal-complaint-to-assembly-commissioner-for-standards-on-phil-flanagan/

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Allister makes Formal Complaint to Assembly Commissioner for Standards on Phil Flanagan

Admin —  July 25, 2013

Statement by Jim Allister MLA:

“As the UK was rejoicing in the news of the birth of Prince George it did not take long for the Sinn Fein mask to slip yet again. This time it was the turn of Phil Flanagan MLA who retweeted a crude and offensive comment in relation to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“While hardly surprising it is nonetheless unwarranted and I would argue it was a breach of the Code of Conduct that all MLAs are bound by. Therefore, I have today sent a letter of formal complaint to the Assembly Commissioner for investigation.”

Below is the text of a letter TUV leader Jim Allister MLA has today sent to the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards following the conduct of Sinn Fein MLA Phil Flanagan. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, NI Politics
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Additional Policing Support for PSNI Shows Folly of Axing PSNI Full Time Reserve

Admin —  July 24, 2013

Responding to the announcement that the PSNI Chief Constable will be drafting in additional policing support for the World Police and Fire Games, TUV Leader Jim Allister said:

“While I am supportive of utilising experienced police officers from other UK forces, the PSNI reliance during the G8, 12th July Parades and now the World Police and Fire Games raises serious questions about PSNI operational capability.

“The reduced capability of the PSNI can be traced back to the disastrous implementation of the Patten Report and the abolition of the Full Time Reserve. Jeffrey Donaldson once claimed the retention of the Full Time Reserve was a pre-condition for the devolution of Policing and Justice “because not only will the DUP not agree to it but the public confidence will not be there to make it happen. That is absolutely clear”. In his words it categorically was a ‘deal-breaker’. But like so many other “deal-breakers” the pledge to retain the FTR was quickly abandoned by the DUP as they fell over themselves to accommodate the demands of Sinn Fein. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, Policing and Security
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Royal Birth Shows Urgent Need to Address the Issue of Flying Union Flag at Stormont

Admin —  July 23, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“I have previously highlighted the fact that Stormont failed to fly the Union Flag to mark the Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday (see here http://www.tuv.org.uk/press-releases/view/1729/tuv-leader-blasts-stormont-failure-to-fly-flag-for-royal-birthday- )

“Again today while the Union Flag flew at City Hall the flag pole at Stormont was empty.

“In recent times, Unionists at Stormont have come together to attempt to progress this issue. I hope that the TUV suggestion that Stormont follow the example of the Welsh Assembly and Westminster and fly the Union Flag 365 days a year. Continue Reading…

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Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Admin —  July 23, 2013

Expressing his delight at the birth of a Royal Prince TUV Leader Jim Allister said:

“The birth of any child is a happy occasion for any family – I had personal experience of this just a few months ago when I became a grandfather for the second time. But the birth of a Prince is something special. It is, of course, a joyous occasion for the Royal family but it is also something the entire nation feels part of.

“Celebrations will not be limited to the House of Windsor but will take place across the United Kingdom from London to Leeds and from Birmingham to Ballymena and indeed across the Commonwealth. Continue Reading…

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Allister Hails Orange Order’s Peaceful Protest and Warns Against Resurrection of DUP – SF Plans

Admin —  July 20, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“The peaceful and dignified protest by the Orange Order is to be commended. In the face of provocation and a farcical Parades Commission decision the Orange Order were able to channel Unionist anger into a peaceful protest.

“The huge turnout today demonstrated the strength of feeling within the Unionist community. It is time the powers that be took note of Unionist concerns rather than seeking to dismiss them or demonise those who express them.

“The presence of many Orange marshals and the production of literature making the Order’s intentions clear to all those who attended the parade and protest was an initiative which should be praised by people across the community.

Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, Parades ,
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TUV Demands Clarity on Union Flag and National Anthem

Admin —  July 20, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“For some weeks now I have been pressing the Culture Minister and those organising the World Police and Fire Games about whether or not the Union Flag will be flown to represent competitors from Northern Ireland. The answers have been ambiguous to say the least.

“Now, with less than two weeks to go before the Games, I am demanding clarity as to whether the Union Flag will be flown to represent competitors from Northern Ireland. Continue Reading…

In Newsroom, NI Politics
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Farcical PSNI Case Against William Frazer Thrown Out

Admin —  July 17, 2013

Statement by North Antrim MLA Jim Allister:

“Once again the PSNI have brought William Frazer before the courts for alleged breach of bail and once again they have failed to have him remanded. The PSNI’s harassment of Mr Frazer has to stop and stop now. Apart from anything else these court appearances are a scandalous waste of public money.

“The repeated, failed attempts of the PSNI to have Mr Frazer returned to custody would be laughable were the issues involved not so serious. This political policing must stop immediately.  It is doing huge damage to the standing of the PSNI within the Unionist community, particularly when they compare it with the attitude adopted towards Gerry Kelly”.

In Justice, Newsroom, Victims ,
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Arrest of William Frazer

Admin —  July 16, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“Over three weeks ago Gerry Kelly, a person supposedly on licence in consequence of his life sentences, obstructed the police by jumping on a land rover. He has yet to be questioned or arrested, it seems.

“But today, victim’s campaigner William Frazer attended the debate in the public gallery at Stormont and was arrested within minutes on the Upper Newtownards Road because of his attendance at Stormont. This is perverse and partial policing.”

In Justice, Newsroom
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