TUV says the PSNI cannot claim to be acting on terror symbols 'while IRA tributes remain tolerated'

It comes after news emerged this week that the PSNI has formalised its policy on paramilitary and “offensive” emblems into a Service Instruction to officers, telling them to remove such items if it is safe.

If this is not possible, it suggests officers contact the property owner (like the Department for Infrastructure), which can in turn call on the police – whose attendance “will be contingent on our own assessment of its feasibility, necessity, proportionality and legality”.

The Service Instruction also says “negotiation” to remove flags remains open to officers.

In any case, “failing to act is not an option”, it says.

Sammy Morrison, the TUV’s policing and legacy spokesman, and press officer, said: “Unionists will have no confidence whatsoever in new guidance on ‘public displays’ unless it is applied consistently across Northern Ireland – including to the countless IRA murals, plaques, memorials and other displays which glorify terrorism and have been left untouched for decades.

“The police cannot credibly claim that ‘failing to act is not an option’ while republican areas remain saturated with tributes to IRA murderers, and while GAA trophies and clubs continue to honour men who took part in the terror campaign.

“The real test is simple: will this instruction be enforced equally against IRA propaganda, or will it become yet another exercise in selective policing where law-abiding communities are scrutinised while republican glorification is tolerated?

“Unionists have seen this pattern too many times before – strong words and swift action in one direction, silence and excuses in the other.

“If the PSNI is serious about tackling unlawful and intimidating displays, then it must start with those which celebrate terrorism, not merely those which happen to be politically fashionable targets in the current climate.

“Anything less will deepen the perception that policing in Northern Ireland remains uneven, politicised and unwilling to confront republican paramilitarism.”

When these comments were put to it, the PSNI said it had nothing to add to earlier statements.

Previously it had quoted Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney as saying: “As a police service, we are dedicated to safeguarding people and property while taking action against any offenders of hate crime incidents.

“There has always been guidance available to our officers on the steps that can legally be taken in regard to complaints on public displays.

"This has now been developed into a service instruction which outlines clearly when to act and how to respond.

“The primary responsibility for removing material remains with the material’s owner, or the owner of the street furniture or property where it’s displayed.

"However, where any offences have been committed, the circumstances will be investigated within statutory functions, and in accordance with law and Human Rights obligations.

“Our officers, who are well supported by this information, will engage and work with local community representatives and partner agencies in relation to any complaints about displays in public spaces.”