Ulster Unionist peer Lord Rogan has condemned in the strongest possible terms the violence which has taken place in recent days and highlighted the need for the Westminster Government to address the perception of many people that their Britishness is being stripped away from them.
Speaking in the Lords on Tuesday night, Lord Rogan said:
“The Ulster Unionist Party has condemned in the strongest possible terms the harassment of and violence towards police officers and elected representatives. Anyone who engages in this illegal activity on our streets fails to understand the values that are encapsulated in the union flag. In doing what they did, they lose the very argument that they want to promote.
It is not sufficient to condemn the violence. One must look at the underlying causes which triggered this violence. It is not just the removal of the union flag from Belfast City Hall where it had flown continuously since 1906. It is about a people who feel that bit by bit they are having their Britishness stripped away from them. It is also about a people who perceive themselves as becoming second-class citizens in their country. These are deeply held beliefs, whether they are real or imaginary. The Government must recognise them and begin to address them.
Police officers who were simply doing their duty of protecting the community under extremely difficult conditions have been subjected to outrageous attacks. Rather than being attacked, these officers deserve our thanks and support for standing between us and anarchy.”