Debate contribution: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Trevor Clarke on 14 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Trevor Clarke
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 14 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5686396

Text

I thank the Member for giving way again. We have seen an expression of that this year. In Moygashel, there was offensive material: the police moved in. There were offensive flags in Londonderry. The police went in at an early stage to remove a bonfire, but, until the day that that bonfire was lit, a flag on it said, "Kill all cops. Kill all Huns". All manner of other flags were there, but nobody moved in, and they were all burnt. There was an opportunity for them to be removed in a lawful manner, and they did not do it. This legislation will not make the law any stronger to enable them to do that. It is designed purely as an attack on the national flag — that of our country.

131 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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