Union Jack flying on Belfast City Hall

COMPROMISE has erupted at Belfast City Hall on Monday evening against the back drop of a ‘Keep Our Union flag’ protest outside.

And as compromises spreads, the DUP appear to admit defeat before the vote is taken.

Councillor William Humphrey has told the meeting: “You may take our flag down, but you will never destroy our union.”

The SDLP and Sinn Fein now say they will support a motion by Alliance Councillor Marie Hendron that the Union flag should only be flown on designated days.

The monthly council meeting was expected to pass a proposal from the policy and resources committee of a fortnight ago that the flag should not be flown on top of the City Hall.

However, Monday evening’s meeting has appeared to have staved off a bitter political row spilling onto the street.

The DUP, who didn’t sign up to the Good Friday Agreement, say the removal of the flag would leave Protestants “ostrascised” in their own city.