Ulster Unionist peer Lord Empey has described the Alliance Party as nothing more than a delivery mechanism for the advancement of Sinn Fein’s anti-British strategy.

Speaking following the Alliance Party’s role in the vote to restrict the flying of the Union Flag on Belfast City Hall to a number of designated days, Lord Empey, himself a former Lord Mayor of Belfast, said:

“What is now clear beyond doubt is that the Alliance Party proved itself to be nothing more than a delivery mechanism for the advancement of Sinn Fein's anti-British strategy.

 ‘David Ford described the vote last night as a victory for the Alliance Party. Heaven help us if Mr Ford considers the removal of the Union flag as a victory! Not even Sinn Fein has gone that far!

‘What it does show us however,  are the true colours of Alliance. Despite the benign view many people take of the Alliance Party, they took the opportunity to join in Sinn Fein's strategy of removing all symbols of Britishness, but they did so on the erroneous grounds that this had something to do with a 'shared future.'

‘The Belfast Agreement accepts that Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom, and provided the Union flag is displayed in a dignified and non-provocative way it should be left alone, in line with the results of the public consultation.

‘The words of Kate Hoey, Labour MP for Vauxhall, in addressing what Alliance was proposing sum things up for Unionists of all colours and I quote her.. 'How on earth can Alliance state that anyone supporting keeping the flag at the City Hall is 'not truly devoted to creating a shared society.' ' Kate Hoey went on to describe Alliance's position as 'the latest double speak from those who want to denigrate anyone who is proud of being British. I haven't heard them criticising the flying of the Irish flag in Dublin!”