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NI Commonwealth Games team to use Ulster Banner

Mark SimpsonCommunity correspondent, BBC News NI
News imageGetty Images/Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland A collage of two images side by side - on the left is the Ulster Banner flag flying from a lampost. It is a white flag with a red cross. In the centre of a cross is a white star and in the centre of that is a red hand. Above the star with the hand is a crown. Trees can be seen behind the flag. On the right is the logo for Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland, which is a stylised red hand on top of of the words TeamNIGetty Images/Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland
Officials say the Ulster Banner (left) could be replaced by a logo when Team Northern Ireland competes in this year's Commonwealth Games

There will be no change to the flag representing Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, officials in charge of the team have said.

On Monday, the head of Commonwealth Games NI (CGNI) said it would use a corporate logo instead of the Ulster Banner unless the Stormont Executive gave guidance.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who is in charge of sport, then wrote a two-page letter to CGNI criticising plans to replace the flag at this summer's games in Glasgow.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the CGNI Board said Lyons' letter offered "clear and unequivocal guidance" and that it will continue to use the Ulster Banner.

The statement said CGNI had been asking the government for guidance since November 2020.

Conal Heatley, the chief executive of CGNI, previously told BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show that a more "inclusive" flag is required for Northern Ireland.

"It's recognised that the Ulster Banner holds cultural significance for a large section of one side of community in Northern Ireland… there are people on the other side of community who don't feel the same about that."

News imageConal Heatley, who is almost bald but has some very short white hair, is staring into the camera, wearing a blue jacket and grey T-Shirt. In the background is the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland offices, on which the shutters are turned down and graffitied. The office has a sign with a green and white background and red text reading "Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland" and below in white text "One Community - One Team". The rest of the image shows the street the office is in with parked cars and red brick terraced houses.
Conal Heatley said he wanted a flag that represented everyone

However, in a letter to Heatley on Monday, Lyons rejected this.

"To remove or replace this flag now would not resolve division, it would create it," he wrote.

"The Ulster Banner should be used as the flag for Northern Ireland athletes at the Commonwealth Games, including the upcoming Glasgow 2026 event and all future competitions."

However, the minister described his remarks as "guidance".

"You will be aware that there is limited prospect for the Northern Ireland Assembly to agree on a replacement flag, given many don't even recognise Northern Ireland in and of itself," he said.

"This emphasises the obvious lack of cross-community consensus required for such a change."

Also speaking on the Nolan Show on Tuesday, the minister said the focus "should actually be on sport, not on flags, especially when there isn't a consensus on what a new flag would look like".

Lyons said he has "had some very interesting and in-depth conversations" with Northern Ireland's athletes and around the topic of the Ulster Banner, he claims the athletes "haven't raised those issues".

News imagePA Media Gordon Lyons is standing in front of a blue background. There is white writing that reads "Northern Ireland Executive". PA Media
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons wants plans to replace the existing flag to be scrapped

"It's not simply the case that the removal of this will sort out problems for everybody and everybody will be content. As this has been the position for so long, I think it would be wrong to change it," Lyons added.

"I would like to see us focus on the sport and the issues that do actually matter, because many athletes from all sorts of communities have represented Northern Ireland and haven't made an issue of the flag."

'Inclusive and respectful' approach

First Minister Michelle O'Neill, vice-president of Sinn Féin, publicly backed a change describing it as "a fine way forward".

Sinn Féin assembly member (MLA) Colm Gildernew said an attempt from the CGNI to be "inclusive and respectful" should be praised.

"I think it's welcome that it has arisen organically from the sporting organisation," he told BBC News NI.

News imagePA Media A close-up of Michelle O'Neill. She is a middle aged woman with shoulder-length blonde hair. She is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black blazer and a blue and white striped shirt. She is sitting in front of a white wall.PA Media
First Minister Michelle O'Neill welcomed the proposed change to the flag

However, Unionist parties opposed the move, including the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which Lyons represents.

International lawn bowler Martin McHugh, who has competed in seven Commonwealth Games for Northern Ireland was at the flag bearer at the last games in Birmingham in 2022.

He said it was a "great honour" to be selected, and that the issue surrounding the flag should should not overshadow the event.

"Personally it doesn't mean too much [to me] what flag, I'm there to represent Northern Ireland as a lawn bowler," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

He said whatever decision is made by the board around which flag is used, everyone should "get behind it".

"We're there to represent Northern Ireland and it's a pity it's six months away, and we're not talking about the athletes that are going to be selected to go represent Northern Ireland," he added.

Runner Katie Kirk, who has competed in two Commonwealth Games, said except from the opening ceremony, the flag was not a "prominent part" of her experience.

She told Radio Ulster's Talkback programme: "For me, flags weren't something that was at the forefront of my mind and I think for quite a few athletes that might be a similar experience."

What is the Ulster Banner?

News imageGetty Images The flag has a red cross on a white background. On top of the centre of the cross is a six-pointed white star. The top point of the star protrudes inside a golden crown with precious stones and inside the star is a red hand with the palm open. Getty Images
The Ulster Banner has been used for Team Northern Ireland at previous Commonwealth Games

The Ulster Banner was the flag of the devolved Northern Ireland Government from 1953 until it was officially abolished in 1973.

At the Olympics, athletes from Northern Ireland can choose to compete for Team Great Britain (GB) - which uses the Union Flag - or Team Ireland, which uses the Irish tricolour.

In the Commonwealth Games, the Ulster Banner has been used as the flag representing Northern Ireland.

Unlike the Olympics, the four parts of the UK compete separately at the Commonwealth Games, meaning none is represented by the Union Flag.

The Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August.

There will be 10 sports taking place including athletics, boxing, swimming and bowls.

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