Calls for an investigation after DUP portrait damaged

The empty space on the wall after the portrait of Lord Wallace Browne was removed

There are calls for an investigation after the portrait of a former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) lord mayor was damaged at an event in Belfast City Hall.

A Sinn Féin employee resigned after admitting involvement in the incident where the picture of Lord Browne was removed from a wall after its glass was "smashed" at the weekend.

Speaking on BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Green Party Irish senator Mal O'Hara said people need to know "who did what, who was involved, [and] who observed".

O'Hara called on Sinn Féin to take an approach that should be "open, honest, transparent and upfront, so that the story can be dealt with".

'Respect'

O'Hara said we need the "full picture" of what happened

The public need to "see the full picture of what happened," O'Hara said.

"I think it's disappointing that someone has vandalised the picture of a former lord mayor.

"Disagree with someone's politics, but it is an historical record that they were lord mayor at that time and it should be given that respect," he added.

The incident took place following an event at City Hall to celebrate an Irish language group's 20th anniversary.

Glór na Móna said it was "extremely disappointed" to learn of the incident and would assist the council with its investigation.

Several senior Sinn Féin members were among those seen in pictures posted online from the City Hall event.

'It’s a disgrace'

In a social media post, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said: "We don't know if the motivation was sectarian bigotry, antisemitism, wanton destruction or a heady mix of the three... but [it's] a disgrace."

DUP councillor Dean McCullough said: "To my knowledge the portrait was ripped from the wall and smashed."

Speaking on the Nolan Show, McCullough said he has not seen the damage, but understands "it was taken off the wall forcefully".

"It is big so it would have been quite a task to take it off the wall," he added.

"It’s a disgrace," he said, adding that it has "done real damage to relations" between parties.

The portrait was on display at Belfast City Hall

The DUP councillor said he wanted to know when the party found out what happened.

"The news... broke on the news, and then and this is important, Sinn Féin released a statement. Did Sinn Féin know on Saturday night; did they know Sunday, did they know on Monday," he added.

The artist behind the portrait, Israel Zohar, told BBC News NI: "I hope it is the last act of violence in this crazy world.

"At least no-one was hurt. And I hope the damage is not great."

'I can't understand'

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) councillor Ron McDowell called it “an absolute disgrace”.

He told BBC News NI that he “hoped it was an accident” when he heard about the incident, but described what’s “unfolded” as “malicious”.

The TUV councillor said the police needed to investigate the “criminal damage” caused to the portrait.

He also said it showed the organiser of the event in a “bad light” and questioned whether free alcohol was served.

To “target a unionist painting, it’s hard to get your head around it", he said.

"It's more than disappointing.

"I can’t understand the thinking in that."

He said there has been a “good reaction” from Sinn Féin and the other parties after news of the incident came out.

'Sectarian'

Councillor Jim Rodgers said he was "very disappointed to hear that someone would stoop so low as to deface a portrait of a former member of Belfast City Council".

Rodgers, who has been an Ulster Unionist Party councillor for 31 years, said: "In all my years, I don't recall a portrait ever being defaced... I hope it's the last."

"You have to ask yourself what sort of an individual would do this," he told BBC News NI.

Rodgers said he had no doubt they were "sectarian minded" and wanted to "stir the pot".

He called for an investigation and welcomed Sinn Féin's "swift action".

'Unacceptable'

Alliance Party councillor Michael Long said: “City Hall is a place for all Belfast citizens, and should be somewhere everyone feels welcomed, represented, and respected."

“The behaviour we’ve seen displayed here is totally unacceptable, and Alliance supports a full investigation into the incident."

Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Carl Whyte said it was "vandalism" and called on the individual to “apologise for what they’ve done”.

Speaking on BBC's Nolan Show, Whyte said: "The Belfast identity is not contested. There’s a rich tapestry of stories that make it up."

The portrait of Lord Browne before it was damaged

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it received a report of criminal damage to artwork in Belfast City Hall at about 16:50 BST on Monday.

A spokesperson said enquiries were continuing into the incident.

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said the employee was immediately suspended and the police had been notified.

The party said the employee, who worked in the assembly, had now resigned from their job and the party.