Jim Allister: The rules for lighting Stormont were bent for Black Lives Matter, but not for victims of terrorism

Following the decision the Assembly Commission to light Stormont in the colours of the Black Lives Matter movement earlier this month, I tabled a question asking why this was possible while a request to light the building to mark Innocent Victims of Terrorism Day was rejected.
Stormont is lit for Black Lives Matter on June 6. Jim Allister: "I am advised that normally a request to light the building must be received no later than four weeks before the date requested, yet this request was made three days beforehand"

Photo by Kelvin Boyes/Press EyeStormont is lit for Black Lives Matter on June 6. Jim Allister: "I am advised that normally a request to light the building must be received no later than four weeks before the date requested, yet this request was made three days beforehand"

Photo by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye
Stormont is lit for Black Lives Matter on June 6. Jim Allister: "I am advised that normally a request to light the building must be received no later than four weeks before the date requested, yet this request was made three days beforehand" Photo by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

In the commission response, I am advised that the request to light Stormont back in March was rejected because “the application did not meet the criteria of the Special Lighting Policy and the Commission ... was unable to approve the request”.

However in the same answer, I am advised that normally a request to light the building must fulfil the criteria and be received “no later than four weeks before the date(s) on which special lighting is being sought.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The request to light Stormont for Black Lives Matter was received on Wednesday June 3 and the building was lit not four weeks later but three days later on Saturday June 6.

Jim Allister QC, TUV leader and North Antrim MLA, seen in the Great Hall in StormontJim Allister QC, TUV leader and North Antrim MLA, seen in the Great Hall in Stormont
Jim Allister QC, TUV leader and North Antrim MLA, seen in the Great Hall in Stormont

It is obvious that the powers that be at Stormont are only too happy to change the rules whenever it suits them.

How telling that it didn’t suit to do the same for innocent victims!

The response to my question is as follows:

Under the Assembly Commission’s Special Lighting Policy, the normal procedure for anticipated occasions is that the Commission may grant permission for special lighting, subject to receiving a request that fulfils the criteria no later than four weeks before the date(s) on which special lighting is being sought.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In 2019, an application under this procedure to light Parliament Buildings on the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism on 11 March 2019 was accepted and the Building was duly illuminated.

In 2020, an application was received to light Parliament Buildings in conjunction with a Member-sponsored event on Friday 6 March 2020 to mark the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, which was actually on Wednesday 11 March 2020. That application did not meet the criteria of the

Special Lighting Policy and the Commission, although understanding and sympathising with the significance of the European Day, was unable to approve the request.

In exceptional circumstances, and in order to react to unpredictable circumstances and current events, the Special Lighting Policy allows the Commission to take a decision, upon referral by the Speaker, to illuminate Parliament Buildings to mark those exceptional circumstances. On Wednesday 3 June 2020, the Speaker received a request to light Parliament Buildings on Saturday 6 June in opposition to racism on a coordinated day of solidarity. The request was submitted by:

North West Migrants Forum;

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

African and Caribbean Support Organisation Northern Ireland;

Horn of Africa People’s Aid Northern Ireland;

Ethnic Minority Sports Organisation Northern Ireland; and

United Against Racism Belfast

The Speaker referred this to the Commission for decision and, while it was mindful of previous decisions, the Commission agreed by consensus, and in line with the policy, to accept the request.

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor