Secretary of State Theresa Villiers visited East Belfast MP Naomi Long’s office yesterday and met several Alliance politicians who have recently been threatened amid the protests in support of the Union Flag at Belfast City Hall.
The Alliance Party attracted the ire of protestors due to their Belfast councillor’s motion to fly the Union Flag on designated days. This was a compromise position between unionists, who wanted the flag to continue to fly all year round, and nationalists, who wanted it removed completely.
The Alliance office in east Belfast has been the focus of ongoing protests, one of which even took place on Christmas Day. It was forced to close early during the second week of December out of concern for the safety of the staff who worked there.
Ms Villiers also met Belfast councillor Laura McNamee who was forced to leave her east Belfast home following a threat, as well as Mrs Long, who has received three death threats, and East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson, whose office in Carrickfergus was burnt out by flag protestors.
Mr Dickson confronted Ms Villiers about “how long” it had taken her to meet him. He said he was happy to see her, but sorry it took so long. Ms Villiers responded, describing the attack as “disgraceful”, adding she was sorry he felt that way.
Mrs Long welcomed Ms Villiers’ visit.
“I appreciated the Secretary of State’s visit and it was important she met Alliance representatives and staff who have continued delivering a first-class service to the community throughout this,” she said.
“It was also vital the Secretary of State visited local businesses who have been forced to shut during a traditionally busy time of year and subsequently lost trade, to talk about practical ways we can support them.
“But it is now important for her to take the views she was given today and, along with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, show leadership in going forward so we can find a way out of this situation.”
Ms Villiers also went on a walkabout with Mrs Long and East Belfast MLAs Chris Lyttle and Judith Cochrane around local businesses close to the Alliance office on the Newtownards Road and spoke to them about how the demonstrations have been affecting their trade.