Willie Frazer has been granted temporary release for cancer treatment

ULSTER People’s Forum founder Willie Frazer has been banned by a court from speaking to the press or using social media while out on temporary prison release.

The 52-year-old from Tandragee Road in Markethill, Co Armagh, will be released from custody on Friday, March 8, for a hospital appointment to receive ongoing cancer treatment.

Frazer has also been banned by the judge from entering Belfast under any circumstances.

The former director of Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (FAIR) is on remand charged with over protests relating to Belfast City Council’s decision to only fly the Union flag on designated days.

He is further accused of three counts of taking part in an unnotified public procession, obstructing traffic in a public place, and possession of a prohibited weapon – namely, a Taser.

Last Friday Frazer was refused bail at Belfast Magistrates Court.

However, on Thursday, his legal team successfully applied for temporary compassionate release.

Frazer was granted bail for a few hours, on the condition that he remains in the company of a named person. He must return to prison by 4pm on Friday.

Frazer is one of three prominent loyalists arrested during the ongoing flag tension, as part of the PSNI’s Operation Dulcet into crimes arising out of protests.

Ulster People’s Forum spokesman Jamie Bryson and former BNP fundraiser Jim Dowson were also arrested and charged with a string of offences.

Bryson was remanded in custody, while Dowson has been released on bail.