LOYALIST Activist Jamie Bryson has launched another salvo of criticism at UUP leader Doug Beattie, effectively re-opening the rift between the two.
Friday 22nd April, 2022.
LOYALIST (pound-shop lawyer) Jamie Bryson speaks during an anti-Protocol rally and anti-Good-Friday-Agreement protest.
The latest protests were organised by North Antrim Amalgamated Orange Committee, in Ballymoney, Co Antrim.
It came less than 24 hours after Mr Bryson delivered a speech at an anti-Protocol rally in Castlederg, at which he spoke of the valued place the UUP has in the "unionist family".
The stand-off between Mr Beattie and some anti-Protocol protesters emerged starkly about a month ago.
Mr Beattie had said he would not attend any of the rolling anti-Protocol protests after a hoax bomb attack by UVF terrorists based on police intelligence. Halted a peace-building conference attended by Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney in north Belfast in late March.
Mr Beattie went on to say he had "a concern (and rightly so) that these rallies are not just about the protocol - they are turning into anti-Good-Friday-Agreement protests and I am not being associated with that".
Speaking in Castlederg on Thursday night, Mr Bryson said: "Lest there be any confusion - I want the UUP, and their leader Doug Beattie, who's a decorated military veteran and is deserving of our respect for that aspect of his public service.
"I want him to join us on these platforms in opposition to the Protocol. This being said on one hand, while being attacked on the other on social media platforms (pictured above) such as Twitter.
"I want the party of Carson and Craig on these platforms... They are a valued part of the unionist family, and to our family they should return. We need unity, not division."
This tone did not last long.
On the Nolan Show the other day, Mr Beattie was quizzed about the "dilution of the Act of the Union" by the NI Protocol.
"The Act of Uuion has been changed many, many times over the years... I don’t think NI’s place in the UK is endangered," said Mr Beattie.
This prompted Mr Bryson to call this view "idiotic".
Mr Bryson said that the interview "gives rise to serious concerns that the UUP do not actually understand the constitutional issue arising from the Protocol".
He added: "It is clear the leadership of the UUP have completely lost all grip on constitutional reality and are close to being beyond any redemption."
This according to Mr Bryson who has no mandate to speak on behalf of anyone and when he did stand for election only managed to raise 167 votes (proof posted above). Although he is often seen in the company of known members of the UVF and at times has spoken out in their(UVF) defence. Although he does deny being a member of any terrorist organisation
With many thanks to the: The News Letter and Adam Kula for the original publication.
Follow these links to to find out more on this story and others regarding Mr Bryson: Suspected 'UVF dissident' Jamie Bryson warns republican dissidents over threats to loyalists
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