MLAs to debate motion on SF march

Stormont Assembly members were today urged to back a motion deploring the display of replica weapons at a Sinn Féin-sponsored…

Stormont Assembly members were today urged to back a motion deploring the display of replica weapons at a Sinn Féin-sponsored parade in Belfast.

Democratic Unionist MP Sammy Wilson is one of four MLAs who have tabled a motion condemning a march past Belfast City Hall last month that featured people dressed as paramilitaries and bands named after IRA members.

A similar motion was passed on Belfast City Council earlier this month despite Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey claiming marchers dressed as paramilitaries were not depicting IRA members but a number of combatants during the Troubles.

Ahead of today's debate on the police and the Parades Commission, Mr Wilson demanded such a display never happened again.

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"Our motion is designed to draw people's attention to the hypocrisy of Sinn Féin who complain about the display of paramilitary flags during marches by the Orange Order," the East Antrim MP said.

"Yet here we had a situation where people marched dressed up as terrorists carrying imitation weapons and banging drums celebrating IRA terrorists."