NI Commonwealth Games flag should not change

There should be no change to the flag representing Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games this year or in future years, the Stormont minister in charge of sport has said.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has written a two-page letter criticising plans to replace the existing flag, known as the Ulster Banner, at this summer’s games in Glasgow.

Commonwealth Games NI announced on Monday that it would use a corporate logo rather than the Ulster Banner unless the Stormont executive comes up with an alternative flag.

Lyons has written to the organisation telling it that the existing flag should be flown.

He wrote: “To remove or replace this flag now would not resolve division, it would create it.”

He added: “The Ulster Banner should be used as the flag for Northern Ireland athletes at the Commonwealth Games, including the upcoming Glasgow 2026 event and all future competitions.”

It is not clear what power, if any, the minister has to stop the change in flag policy.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill, vice president of Sinn Féin, has publicly backed the change describing it as “a fine way forward”.

Unionist parties have opposed the move, including the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which Lyons represents.

In the letter, the minister describes his remarks as “guidance”.

He added: “You will be aware that there is limited prospect for the Northern Ireland Assembly to agree on a replacement flag, given many don’t even recognise Northern Ireland in and of itself.

“This emphasises the obvious lack of cross-community consensus required for such a change.”

The letter was addressed to Conal Heatley, the chief executive of Commonwealth Games NI.

He has not responded yet.

Mr Heatley has said he believes a more “inclusive” flag is required for Northern Ireland.

On Monday, he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show: “It’s recognised that the Ulster Banner holds cultural significance for a large section of one side of community in Northern Ireland … there are people on the other side of community who don’t feel the same about that.”

The Ulster Banner was the flag of the devolved Northern Ireland government from 1953 until it was officially abolished in 1973.

At the Olympics, athletes from Northern Ireland can choose to compete for Team Great Britain (GB) – which uses the Union Flag – or Team Ireland, which uses the Irish tricolour.

In the Commonwealth Games, the Ulster Banner has been used as the flag representing Northern Ireland.

Unlike the Olympics, the four parts of the UK compete separately at the Commonwealth Games, meaning none is represented by the Union Flag.

The Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August.

There will be 10 sports taking place including athletics, boxing, swimming and bowls.