The move came after threatening messages were directed at the office online
The office of Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland has been closed amid online threats over a proposal to change the flag that represents the region’s athletes.
Mr Heatley said the proposal reflected concerns that the flag, which does not have any official status in Northern Ireland, is not representative of or embraced by the whole community in the region. “For the safety of staff and the public who may be using the office, we have decided to keep it closed for the next few days and have reported those to the police,” he said.
“I have to say, I believe that the campaign we are currently hearing about is ill-advised at best,” he told the Assembly. “If I had been consulted, I would have made it very clear that I do not think that we should be upsetting the status quo on this, that we have had athletes that have been very happy to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.
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