Sectarian Irish racist ex-Corrie actor Lawson faces probe for lighting 11th night bonfire

FORMER Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson is facing an Environment Agency probe for lighting 11th night bonfire.

        SECTARIAN: Irish racist Charlie                 Lawson lighting the Eleventh night               monstrosity in Fivemiletown, Co                                     Tyrone 

Mr Lawson, who presented GB News coverage of the Twelfth with ex-DUP leader Arlene Foster, was pictured lighting the Eleventh Night monstrosity in Co Tyrone. The agency will "consider Mr Lawson's actions in line with our statutory role". "The relevant legislation surrounding this matter is the Waste and Contaminated Land Order (1997)," a spokeswoman said. 

Mr Lawson's represtatives were asked if he wished to comment but had not replied last night. He appeared to brush off the prospect of facing an investigation, posting on Twitter: "Bring it on" (pictured below) 

The agency has in the past said lighting a bonfire containing controlled waste is an offence. It investigated former first minister Paul Girvan after he was pictured lighting a pyre in 2016. The DUP Lagan Valley MLA, communities minister at the time, was given "advice" as part of a "proportional response". 

Mr Lawson was photographed in Fivemiletown holding a stick as he lit a wood bonfire. Fivemiletown District Orange Lodge shared the image, tweeting: "Fantastic Eleventh Night celebrations at Roughan last night. Charlie Lawson had the honour of lighting the bonfire." He also joined Dame Arlene in a "celebrity penalty shoot competition". 

Mr Lawson spoke about lightning the pyre during live GB News coverage of the Twelfth. "I was very well behaved. It was a very temperate evening. There was not a beer to be had - and I won the penalty competition," he said. In Mr Girvan's case, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said the agency "carefully considered the evidence available" and the circumstances. It added: "Consistent with our enforcement policy a proportional response was taken. This involved an advisory approach, providing advice to the individual involved, to make it clear that lighting of Bonfires, which contain controlled waste, is an offence." 

The department said councils and council-led multi-agency initiatives have lead responsibility for bonfire management. It said: "The Environment Agency is clear a person who lights a bonfire containing controlled waste, eg tyres, is technically committing an offence of treating the waste (by burning) in contravention of the legislation. 

"We seek to use enforcement action that is proportionate to the significance of the offence. This includes for example the level of environmental harm and the level of financial benefit arising from the offence." 

Last year Stormont's Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition proposed that wood for bonfires should no longer be regarded as controlled waste, allowing them to be lawful if landowners give permission. 

With many thanks to the: Irish News for the original publication.

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Ex-Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson contacted by Environment Agency over 11th night bonfire