Flags row erupts as Ulster Banner removed from Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games team

Inset: North Antrim TUV MP Jim Allister

The decision to end the use of the Ulster Banner as the flag representing Northern Ireland athletes at the Commonwealth Games has sparked a strong political backlash, with unionist representatives accusing organisers of unnecessary and divisive political interference.

TUV leader Jim Allister MP said he was “deeply disappointed” by the move, warning that the controversy risked overshadowing the sporting achievements of athletes due to compete at the Games in Glasgow this summer.

“I am deeply disappointed to see the Commonwealth Games organisation involving itself in politicking when its sole focus should be on preparing for the Games and securing the best possible outcomes for our athletes from Northern Ireland,” Mr Allister said.

He accused Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland (CGNI) of “tainting the entire process” by entering what he described as a political dispute over flags, arguing that the issue should never have arisen in the context of a Commonwealth sporting event.

“Instead, the organisation has chosen to taint the entire process by entering a political controversy over flags.”

Mr Allister stressed that the symbolism of the Ulster Banner was entirely consistent with the nature of the Commonwealth Games.

“Let us be clear about what these are: they are the Commonwealth Games. The Head of the Commonwealth is His Majesty the King. It is therefore extraordinary that offence should be taken at the British Crown appearing on a flag intended to represent Northern Ireland at a Commonwealth event.”

Highlighting the inclusive elements of the flag, he pointed to the Red Hand of Ulster as a shared cultural symbol.

“The Ulster Banner also includes the Red Hand of Ulster — a symbol that is not the preserve of any one tradition. It is widely used across Northern Ireland, including in sporting contexts such as Tyrone GAA. To suggest that such a flag is somehow inappropriate is both historically and culturally illiterate.”

Mr Allister also drew a comparison with the Olympic Games, where athletes from Northern Ireland compete under the Irish tricolour.

“Many non-nationalist athletes compete at Olympic level under the Irish tricolour and are expected to simply live with that arrangement, even where it causes deep personal discomfort.”

He described the approach taken by CGNI as inconsistent and unfair.

“It therefore strikes me as profoundly inconsistent that, in the context of the Commonwealth Games, accommodations must suddenly be made — and time and opportunity found — to redesign representation in a way that erases the constitutional reality of Northern Ireland.”

“If athletes can be told to accept the symbolism imposed upon them at the Olympics, then it is wholly unreasonable to claim that a flag reflecting Northern Ireland’s place within the Commonwealth is beyond the pale.”

Concluding his remarks, Mr Allister warned against allowing political disputes to intrude on sport.

“This is not the time for political virtue-signalling. It is the time to remember what the Commonwealth Games are — and to stop dragging sport into unnecessary and divisive politics.”

Early Day Motion tabled at Westminster

Mr Allister has also tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons criticising the decision. The motion:

“deplores the unilateral action of Commonwealth Games NI in declaring that ‘the Ulster Banner’ will not be used as the flag of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Team at the Games in Glasgow this summer; notes that this flag has been used for this purpose since 1934; and in the absence of political consent from the government in Stormont calls on Commonwealth Games NI organisation to desist from such divisive political meddling.”

Ulster Unionist Party raises concerns

The Ulster Unionist Party has also voiced concern, describing the decision as a break with long-established sporting convention.

A party spokesperson said the Ulster Banner had been recognised as a symbol of Northern Ireland for almost a century.

“The Ulster Unionist Party has always been of the mind that the Ulster Banner has, since the 1930s, been the recognised symbol of Northern Ireland. For generations, athletes have proudly draped this flag over their shoulders when celebrating victories and bringing home silverware for our wee country.”

The party said it was “deeply regrettable” that CGNI had opted to discontinue its use, arguing that any change should have required political direction.

“Matters relating to flags and anthems are long established by convention, and no change should have been made without clear guidance from the Northern Ireland Executive. In the absence of such guidance, the status quo should have remained.”

The spokesperson also highlighted what they described as a contradiction in CGNI’s position.

“The irony is striking, the Commonwealth Games Chief Executive has stated that, because the Executive did not make a decision, they have taken it upon themselves to act, despite saying that this was a matter for the Executive.”

They added that decisions on flags and identity should rest with elected representatives.

“Decisions of this nature belong firmly in the political arena, to be considered by elected representatives, particularly within the Northern Ireland Assembly, where they form part of the ongoing process on flags, identity, culture, and tradition.”

Impact on athletes

While political tensions continue, unionist figures have repeatedly warned that the debate risks placing additional pressure on athletes preparing for international competition.

For many competitors, the Ulster Banner has long been associated with moments of personal triumph and national pride, and its removal has reopened sensitive questions around identity and representation in sport.