DUP Deputy Mayor apologises for photo standing beside Irish Tricolour burning on bonfire

The lengthy apology was posted by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Cllr Margaret Tinsley after she posted photos of her and her husband attending the Edenderry bonfire in Portadown last year.

In the apology, which appeared on her personal Facebook account, she said she accepted the photograph, posted on July 1, ‘was offensive, disrespectful and inappropriate and for this I am sincerely sorry’.

Her statement said: “Contrary to my intentions, my actions in posting the photograph detracted from the genuine acknowledgment I had wished to make of the progressive efforts of those who had worked hard to keep the area tidy leading up to the event and in ensuring the bonfire was safe on the evening.

“I have the utmost respect for the politically neutral position of the mayor’s office. I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as Deputy Lord Mayor and I have been welcomed by everyone in every part of the community. I will continue to work for the whole of the community, serving everyone with respect and dignity, for the remainder of my term of office.

“I will, in future, think more carefully about my social media posts ensuring they are in keeping with the Local Government Commissioner for Standards’ Guidance on the use of social media and the code of conduct for local government councillors.”

A spokesperson for the Local Government Commissioner for Standards said: “We received a complaint in relation to a breach of the Local Government Code of Conduct by a councillor in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. The complaint was investigated and dealt with under our Alternative Action policy.”

It is understood the Commissioner received a number of complaints in relation to the photo.

The method of dealing with such complaints via an apology is usually taken when a councillor accepts there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct.

It is also understood that the form and content of the apology is normally approved by the commissioner and it is delivered in a similar forum in which the complaint arose.

At the time of the complaints in July, a DUP spokeswoman said Mrs Tinsley was not attending the event in her capacity as deputy mayor.

“Councillor Margaret Tinsley attended the events in her own capacity and not as deputy mayor for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, with Alderman James Tinsley,” she said.

“The DUP have been clear in the past that culture is not the burning of flags or posters.

“Sinn Féin are not in the position to lecture when it comes to commemorative events within their own community.

“Respect for each other’s culture works both ways. Both communities should work to express culture in a dignified way.”