ABBATTUTA E DANNEGGIATA LA UNION FLAG AL BELFAST CITY HALL
Flag ‘stolen’ from Belfast City Hall (UTV)
The Union flag, which usually sits on top of Belfast City Hall, has reportedly been torn down and damaged.
It is believed the flag was taken overnight and a man found in the City Hall by security staff in the early hours of the morning was released when he told them he had been locked in at a function.
The damage to the flag and flagpole was not discovered until after the man had left the building.
DUP councillor Robin Newton said it was a provocative act.
“I have no doubt this was a planned and calculated act of destruction that was motivated by pure hatred of anything British.
“There is an urgent need to ensure the damage to the flagpole is repaired and the Union flag once again erected on top of the City Hall.”
A police spokesperson said: “Police have received a report this afternoon from Belfast City Council regarding the alleged theft of a union flag overnight.”
No-one has been arrested over the incident and police say they are liaising with the city council.