Unity candidate accuses Mid Ulster councillor of ‘anti British bigotry’

Tom Elliot hit out at Dungannon-based Denise Mullen for saying she was proud of the SDLP policy of “two flags or no flag”, before adding: “Even better than no British Flags will fly on council buildings under Mid Ulster council.”

Mr Elliot said on his Facebook page: “SDLP Dungannon cllr makes her priorities clear for Mid Ulster Council, “No British Flags”, any talk of equality is just cover for anti British bigotry, just the same as Adam’s Trojan Horse.”

His UUP party colleague MLA Sandra Overend, who is running for the position of Mid Ulster MP, dubbed the comment a “disgrace” on Twitter.

“This is a disgrace!” she said, “This says it all about the local SDLP in Mid-Ulster!”

Cllr Mullen defended her remarks on her own Facebook page, saying: “I thought it novel they had nothing else to do in the line of work but to read my Facebook comments.”

In a statement to this newspaper, she has since said: “I find it personally offensive that a former member of the British army regiment which were centrally involved in my Father’s murder and attempted murder of my mother would attack me in this way.

“Tom Elliot must understand the majority of voters in Mid Ulster don’t want the union flag flying over council buildings - after all we are living in an inclusive society.”