Northern Ireland Protocol protest in Crossgar called off as mark of respect to Christopher Stalford but Portadown goes ahead

The family of Christopher Stalford has said they took great comfort from all the messages of support they have received since the DUP MLA’s death last weekend.

In a statement issued through the DUP press office the Stalford family said: “Laura and the Stalford family thank everyone for their kind messages and lovely words in recent days.

“They have been so comforting to the family at this incredibly sad time.

“They appreciate the respect for their privacy so far and request that the family continue to be given the space to come to terms with their loss.”

And a statement direct from his widow shortly before going to press last night added: “I am so touched by the overwhelming messages of comfort and support we have received.

“It is uplifting to read such heartfelt memories and tributes to the wonderful man we all knew and loved.

“I know when the children look back they will be so proud of their daddy they described as ‘... the best dad in the world’.

“We would like to thank everyone as their kind words are helping more than they will ever know.”

The statements above came after the announcement earlier that an anti-Northern Ireland Protocol demonstration scheduled for Crossgar this Friday has been postponed as a mark of respect over the death of the principal deputy Stormont speaker.

The organisers of the rally in the Co Down town said the decision was taken “as a mark of respect following the tragic and untimely death of Brother Christopher Stalford”.

It was due to take place on the eve of Mr Stalford’s funeral in Belfast this Saturday afternoon.

The funeral service will be held at Ravenhill Presbyterian around 2pm, which the DUP said last night will be open to all.

The service in the family home and committal after the funeral service will be strictly for family only, they said.

In a statement issued on behalf of Lecale District, LOL Number 2 the organisers of the Crossgar demonstration said: “The officers and brethren of Lecale District LOL Number 2 extend their sincere Christian sympathies to the entire Stalford family and his party at this time of grief.”

The Crossgar anti-NI Protocol protest will now take place on Friday March 11 at 7.30pm. The speakers will include DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, TUV leader Jim Allister, Ulster Unionist councillor Jill McCauley, former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib and Baroness Kate Hoey.

However, another anti-NI Protocol rally is due to go ahead in Portadown this evening.

The demonstration at the town’s Carleton Street Orange Hall will hear speeches from Mr Allister, Jamie Bryson and Moore Holmes as well as TUV Upper Bann candidate Darrin Foster. It is understood no speakers from the DUP have been invited to the event, which will be chaired by independent unionist councillor Paul Berry.

A minute’s silence will be observed to remember Mr Stalford inside the hall before the event.

The organisers of the Portadown protest confirmed that the media will be permitted access to the hall during the meeting and there will be an opportunity to speak to those taking part before it starts. The organisers said they are also content to permit access for filming and photographs before the meeting commences.

Mr Bryson denied that the DUP’s absence from the platform was a snub to the largest unionist party.

“I am not one of the organisers but I genuinely don’t think the DUP were being snubbed. There are two more anti-protocol rallies coming up in Lurgan and Ballymoney and I know that DUP speakers are invited.

“One of the messages over the last week has been that we must put an end to unionist in-fighting in our opposition to the protocol. A tweet I sent out this week expressing that view was shared by Jim Allister and Jeffrey Donaldson,” Mr Bryson added.

Meanwhile, one of the most acclaimed commentators on Northern Ireland affairs for almost five decades has said the turnout at the last anti-protocol rally in Markethill last week was significant.

Commenting on the number of people who attended the demonstration, award-winning journalist Ed Moloney noted on his blog site ‘thebrokenelbow.com’: “When this number of people brave these conditions to make a protest about something, it’s a sure sign that it is a serious matter.”

The author of ‘The IRA: A Secret History’ and a biography of Ian Paisley was referring to the large numbers who defied challenging weather conditions including wind, hail and snow to attend the rally in the Co Armagh town last Friday.

Up to 30 bands marched alongside thousands of unionists and loyalists in opposition to the NI Protocol

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