DUP councillor Guy Spence’s smashed car

RATEPAYERS in Belfast may ultimately pay the bill for councillors’ cars damaged by loyalists on Monday night.

The council is considering picking up the tab for damage to councillors cars during the riot at the City Hall.

Loyalists broke into the courtyard of the building after a protest about union flags turned violent.

Three cars were damaged after protesters forced open the back gate.

One of those cars, a yellow Vauxhall Corsa car, belonged to DUP councillor Guy Spence.

During Monday night’s meeting, he told the protestors gathered at the back gate of the City Hall: “Leave the fighting to the debating chamber.”

However, his plea went unheard and when the motion was passed by 29 votes to 21 to fly the Union fly on only 17 designated days, a loyalist mob attacked police and stormed the City Hall building.

A council spokesperson said on Wednesday that they were “evaluating the damage caused to the fabric of the building and to several cars”.

“This may involve the council paying for repairs to councillors’ cars in the short-term and may also involve the submission of criminal damage claims.”