Mr Alex Maskey, a Sinn Fein Assembly member, has criticised the practice of military displays and the flying of the Union flag at Stormont on British royal family birthdays. Yesterday was the 99th birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Mr Maskey said: "We have approached the British Secretary of State on a number of occasions to voice our objection to these partisan displays of Britishness. Mo Mowlam assured us that she would look into having this practice continued within the confines of the Assembly grounds . . . These jingoistic displays of British militarism are offensive to the many nationalists and republicans who are compelled to work daily in this building as a means of fulfilling their commitment to the implementation of the Good Friday agreement."