Jamie Bryson charged with organising unlawful parades
ULSTER People’s Forum spokesman Jamie Bryson has been moved to a loyalist paramiltiary wing.
The 23-year-old had been held in the remand unit of Maghaberry prison which holds all prisoners awaiting trail.
South Antrim Progressive Unionist Party spokesman Ken Wilkonson has confirmed to The Newsletter that Bryson is on a loyalist wing which UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando inmates.
Asked if it was true that Mr Bryson had moved to the loyalist wing, PUP south Antrim spokesman Ken Wilkinson said: “Yes, he has.”
Mr Wilkinson said that members of the UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commando all used the wing, known as Bush 1 and Bush 2.
“It was set up that way on grounds of health and safety,” he said. “It was set up as a loyalist wing. I was one of the people who did the negotiation for them to be set up that way.”
It is understood that Jamie Bryson had asked to be moved to the loyalist wing “for his own safety”.
“He was under a lot of pressure inside the remand wing,” said Mr Wilkinson.
“He was getting verbally threatened by people who were probably dissident republicans.” He said the move took place on Monday.
Meanwhile, co-accused and Ulster People’s Forum found Willie Frazer will apply on Thursday to be released on bail after having been refused twice already.
However, the 52-year-old was allowed out last week for several hours on temporary release for cancer treatment but was banned from talking to the media, using social networking sites and entering Belfast.
Personal friend and south Armagh Pastor Barrie Halliday said he had spoken to the leading victims’ campaigner by phone yesterday.
“He is appearing at Belfast Magistrates Court at 10am on Thursday,” he said.
“He will be applying for bail with no conditions. Everyone expects very strict conditions to be applied, such as him being forbidden to talk to the press or use social media. He says he will accept being banned from protests but will not accept being gagged on victims’ issues.”
The fact that the two high-profile protestors have been held on remand was described as “highly unusual” by criminal law QC and TUV leader Jim Allister. He said it was unusual for them to be remanded on petty sessions charges, especially as Mr Frazer has no criminal record.
At their peak, the flag protests involved some 4,000 people at locations across Northern Ireland. Most were peaceful although dozens of people engaged in rioting at interface areas in east Belfast.
The protests began on December 3 after Belfast City Council voted to stop flying the Union Flag daily and instead decided to fly it on designated days.
Leading DUP figures including Peter Robinson have become embroiled in a row in recent days over allegations that there is a perception of bias in law enforcement.
It came after leading republican Sean ‘The Surgeon’ Hughes was released on bail while facing terrorism charges.
Willie Frazer to apply for bail on Thursday morning
However, Mr Frazer was refused bail on charges relating to taking part in an unnotified procession, public speaking and possesssion of a stun gun.
The Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said in a BBC interview that he was keen to address issues of public confidence.
Mr Robinson described the interview as a “helpful intervention”.
