Alliance Foyle representative Councillor Rachael Ferguson has called on those who erected Parachute Regiment flags in Derry-Londonderry to remove them immediately, ahead of the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

The flags appeared in the Newbuildings and Drumahoe areas over the weekend, a few days ahead of memorial events to the 14 people killed by the regiment in January 1972.

“These flags are hurtful to the Bloody Sunday families, as well as many others in the city, and this act is purely designed to intimidate and create a chill factor for those who live, work or visit here,” said Councillor Ferguson.

“I don’t doubt for one second the vast majority of people who live in these areas didn’t back the erection of these flags and political representatives from all quarters should condemn this. The lengths to which a small minority of people will go to raise tensions is deeply disappointing.

“I call on those who erected these flags to remove them immediately. All public space is shared space. But this is not culture or tradition, it’s a deliberate attempt to cause division and hurt in a city which is shared, welcoming and open to all, and it’s wrong.”