Flags bearing the Parachute Regiment insignia have been erected in Drumahoe and Newbuildings, on the outskirts of Derry, ahead of the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Unionist politicians have condemned the display, with Foyle DUP assembly member Gary Middleton describing the flags as "unacceptable and disrespectful".
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said the flags show a "lack of respect and compassion" and do "nothing but hurt the victims who still grieve to this day". The Parachute Regiment itself responded on Twitter, calling the erection of the flags "totally unacceptable and disrespectful behaviour".
John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed on Bloody Sunday, told BBC Radio Foyle the flags were "really offensive to the families" of the victims. "These people are trying to create pain, adding to the pain the families have been carrying for all these years," he said.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood called for the flags to be removed, describing them as "a blatant attempt to upset people in the city". Sinn Féin's Ciara Ferguson said the act was "a deliberate attempt to stir up tensions and hurt families ahead of the 50th anniversary".
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it understood the difficulties such flags can cause and urged that any display should be carried out with the consent of the property owner. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the MoD does not condone the misuse of military flags and that they "should be used only in an official capacity".
