DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson condemns placing of flags and images on nationalist bonfire in Londonderry

Sir Jeffrey described the actions as an “outrageous and offensive display of hate”, which should be “universally rejected”.

He tweeted: “When this generation is told there was no alternative to violence, this is the result.

“Time Michelle O’Neill gave leadership & opposed this hatred.

“There was always an alternative to killing people.”

The bonfire in Derry’s Bogside area displayed images of the Queen, a PSNI Land Rover as well as flags and wreaths. A large crowd gathered to watch the bonfire being lit on Monday night.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly, the party’s policing spokesperson, said: “Scenes from bonfires in Derry tonight are absolutely disgraceful and wrong.

“The burning of flags, wreaths and posters which include politicians and other political figures is deeply offensive and is a hate crime.

“There is no place for these displays of hate anywhere in our society. It must stop now.”

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood in a tweet said: “This is totally out of order. Why do they need to mimic the worst elements of loyalist culture?”

SDLP councillor John Boyle said the display on the bonfire at Meenan Square did not represent the local community.

“The placing of these images and flags on the bonfire in Derry is disgraceful and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” he said.

“Those behind this bonfire do not speak for the people of the Bogside who want to live in peace with their neighbours.”