◼️ Donaldson puts on brave face as Beattie stays away
It may have been billed as an 'Anti-Protocol Rally' - after all that's what the posters said.
But in reality, Friday night's unionist parade and protest in Lurgan was the Jim Allister Show.
Brownlow House - known locally as 'The Castle' and owned by Lurgan Orange Order.
It was a TUV pre-election presentation in all but name.
And DUP leader, MP Jeffrey Donaldson knew it!
Ulster Unionist Party boss and decorated British Army veteran Doug Beattie had already pulled out, claiming the event was divisive and likely to raise community tensions. He was branded a traitor for his actions and even had a noose tied around his neck in an election poster. And despite his obvious discomfort throughout, Donaldson knew that a no-show from him would have left him open to similar abuse.
IMPORTANCE
The predominantly Catholic town of Lurgan in Co Armagh may at first appear a poor choice for a rally of such importance to unionists claiming trade protocols introduced Post-Brexit have smashed their British birthright.
But Brownlow House - a short walk from the town centre - enjoys a warm place in the hearts of many unionists. It is reputed to be the largest Orange Hall in the world.
Known locally as 'The Castle', Brownlow House is the former home of landlord Lord Lurgan. And today is owned by the Lurgan Orange Order which organised Friday night's anti-Protocol rally in the car park.
As PSNI/RUC officers began appearing on a deserted High Street shortly after teatime, an air of anticipation swept through the town.
And with more and more people arriving at the junction with Windsor Avenue, it soon became clear something big was going to happen.
Life-long loyalist and former UDR soldier Paul Craven (68) had travelled 10 miles (up the road) from his home in Portadown (are you having a laugh?) to voice his opposition to the trade Protocol.
"We need to take a strong stance against it," he told me.
Former DUP representative in the European Parliament and a party candidate in the forthcoming election, Diane Dodds having arranged to meet her party leader Jeffrey.
And to pass the time, Mrs Dodds chatted amicably with TV reporters and cameramen.
But the senior DUP politician was spotted by hardline unionist supporter and fundamentalist Protestant Brian Johnson from east Belfast.
A one-time Shorts Aircraft factory worker in the early 50s, Johnson was distributing religious tracts when he suddenly rounded on Mrs Dodds, accusing her party of selling out the Protestant people of *orthern Ireland. "Don't listen to her," he blasted, "she's already been bought off by globalisation.
OVERTAKEN
"We are being overtaken by a new world religion based in Abu Dhabi, the Bible still matters, but the DUP has sold us down the drain!" he screamed at the shocked DUP veteran.
And as Mrs Dodds turned to leave, Johnson grabbed his groin before shouting: "The DUP has no balls. It appears to have forgotten the word 'no!"
DUP's Diane Dodds and MP Jeffrey Donaldson join the anti-Protocol rally in Lurgan.
Minutes later, Mrs Dodds and Mr Donaldson joined the loyalist parade as it wound its way around the main shopping street and down Windsor Avenue on its way to Brownlow House.
Prominent members of the unionist community, including leading Apprentice Boys of Derry members Worthington McGrath, Billy Moore and the organisation's current Governor Graham Stenhouse, travelled from the Maiden City to show their support.
The infamous Doug Beattie poster
'The Hangman's Noose'
The Doug Beattie poster - showing a noose around the UUP leader's neck - was spotted on a park bench near the entrance to the property.
But it was turned away from public view by fellow unionist leaders (any publicity is good publicity especially during an upcoming election) Jeffrey Donaldson and Jim Allister.
But other posters urging those present to vote TUV were left in place.
SUPPORTERS
As Jim Allister waved to supporters from the covered platform, large sections of the crowd chanted: "TUV. TUV."
Some of the crowds at the anti-Protocol rally on Friday evening but nowhere near the 10,000 supporters they claimed there were.
Organisers claimed 10,000 supporters were expected to take part in the parade along with 160 loyalist bands, but those estimates appeared to be well wide of the mark.
Loyalist spokesman and Pound Shop lawyer Jamie Bryson kicked of the main speeches by proclaiming he was proud to stand alongside unionist leaders Mr Donaldson and Mr Allister.
And it was also great to see such a strong representation from the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP), he added.
But in a not so subtle attack on UUP leader Mr Beattie, Bryson said: "And to those who should have been here, but aren't, because they strayed from the unionist family, it is my sincere hope that one day, they will return to the unionist family and stand with us.
"The two men behind me on the platform have been clear that there cannot be and will not be, power-sharing in *orthern Ireland until the union-subjugating Protocol is removed and the principal of consent operates to safeguard the union," he said.
Bryson also attacked Irish government Minister Simon Coveney for what he called his "aggressive" attitude to *orthern Ireland and its union with the United Kingdom.
He added: "The DUP, TUV and PUP have stood firm in their opposition to the Protocol and have been backed by grassroots unionism and loyalism and the Loyal Institutions."
PODIUM
As he prepared to step forward to the podium, MP Jeffrey Donaldson shook his head in dismay at a protester who accused him of being a traitor and he urged those present to use their votes wisely in next month's election.
He thanked those present for the attendance on such a cold night in support of their cause.
He asked: "What is out cause? Our cause is (apart from an armed hijacking of a van and placing a hoax bomb inside) peaceful and lawful.
And our cause is designed to remove those impediments and barriers that have been put between us and the rest of the United Kingdom."
Mr Donaldson added: "Our demand is simple. We want full citizenship within our own country. It is something which has been denied to us by this Protocol.
"The union isn't just a political union. It is also an economic union," he said to polite applause.
TUV leader - by far the most popular of the speakers - told the enthusiastic audience the Protocol was Irish unity in transition.
He said: "Such is the fundamental assault made by the Protocol on our constitutional position that it is irreconcilable with meaningful membership of the UK.
"The core premise of the Protocol is that GB is a foreign country and that *orthern Ireland in trading terms, is an integral part of the European Union (EU) on what is to be the economically integrated island of Ireland."
And to loud applause, he added: "The declaration of GB as a 'third' or foreign country cuts to the heart of the union."
Follow these links to find out more about this story: Loyalists Reject Doug Beattie's Noose Claims - MJS Writing.
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