Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
FLAG FURY LEADSTO PROTEST
■ Outcry from indy activist ■ Unionist is‘ astonished’
A voluntary organisation has defended its decision to replace a Saltire flag with a Union Jack in an Airdrie park, following a flurry of animated protests.
The Airdrie for Independence group voiced their displeasure at the flagpole in West End Park last week, with local independence activist Jim Cassidy claiming that the replacement flag has “political and sectarian connotations”.
Although North Lanarkshire Council owns the land, it is maintained by the Friends of West End Park, who say they had received several requests from ex-service personnel, veterans and their families, indicating “they felt it would be right that we gave consideration to a British flag”.
The row caught the attention of local politicians, with North Lanarkshire Scottish Conservative group leader Sandy Watson saying he was “astonished” by the protests which do “independence supporters no credit at all”, while Airdrie MSP Neil Gray added he “understands the strong feelings” but hopes the issue “can be resolved amicably without the need for any further protest”.
A group of angry Scottish nationalists have protested a voluntary organisation’s decision to replace a Saltire flag with a Union Jack at Airdrie’s West End park.
The Airdrie for Independence group voiced their displeasure, with local independence activist Jim Cassidy claiming the flag had “political and sectarian connotations”.
North Lanarkshire Council owns the land, but it is maintained by voluntary group Friends of West End Park, who also look after the nearby cenotaph.
In a leaked letter, the Friends of West End Park group said they had received several requests from exservice personnel, veterans and their families, indicating “they felt it would be right we gave consideration to a British flag” and they were “very saddened and surprised” their upgrade to the flagpole was “somehow associated to a political/ national cause”.
However, Mr Cassidy, a former British serviceman, dismissed their reasoning and called on the Saltire to be reinstated.
He said: “I contacted the Labour leader of North Lanarkshire Council Jim Logue, who was very helpful and informed me that having spoken to someone representing the Friends of West End Park group, our national flag would be replaced as soon as one could be sourced.
“I was therefore disappointed to be contacted by someone who had written to the group, who made me aware that they had reneged on the agreement with North Lanarkshire Council and had decided to keep the British flag flying instead.
“Having seen the letter they sent, I have to say I was concerned at their actions and am unconvinced as to the motivations behind their decision.
“They state that the group is nonpolitical and non-sectarian, but that doesn’t mean that you can be blind to the political and sectarian connotations linked to the British flag, and one would have had to be living under a rock to have missed them.
“As a former member of the armed forces who used to parade every year with the Royal Engineers on Remembrance Sunday, I don’t believe the wishes of a few veterans and their families should be given greater consideration than the entire community of Airdrie.”
North Lanarkshire Scottish Conservative group leader Sandy Watson hit out at the protests, saying: “I was astonished to see that a group of individuals who support independence felt it was appropriate to protest against the Union flag being flown in West End park, close to the cenotaph.
“The cenotaph commemorates those locally who fought and died serving the United Kingdom and this sort of stance over flags does independence supporters no credit at all. The Friends of West End Park committee have worked closely with veterans and have indicated that they wish the Union flag to be flown.
“Their views should be respected and the Conservative councillors in Airdrie and North Lanarkshire are fully in favour of flying the Union flag.”
Airdrie MSP Neil Gray added: “The voluntary committee running the West End and Centenary parks do a wonderful job for the local community, maintaining beautiful and important green space.
“I understand there are strong feelings about the flying of flags, but hope this issue can be resolved amicably without the need for any further protest.”
North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue told us: “I am absolutely astonished and disgusted at the highly personal and political attacks which members of Friends of the Park have been subjected to. Inadvertently they have been sucked into a politicised debacle.
“I have worked with members of the Friends of the Park for a long number of years and I have nothing but admiration for the tremendous work which they have done and continue to do to improve the park.”
A spokesperson for the council said: “The Friends of West End and Centenary Park is a voluntary community organisation run by an independent committee who do a fantastic job looking after the park for the benefit of the local people and visitors. Flying the Saltire or Union Flag is at the discretion of the committee.”