THERE IS CONFUSION around which flag Northern Ireland will compete under in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games this summer.

The Northern Ireland team previously competed under the Ulster Banner, which was the official flag of the government of Northern Ireland from 1953 until 1973, but now has no official status.

Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland (CGNI) asked the Executive Office what flag should be used to represent athletes over three years ago, but chief Conal Heatley said they have not yet received official guidance.

Heatley said that unless the organisation is told otherwise, it will use the CGNI logo in the games.

Unlike the Olympics, where athletes from Northern Ireland can choose to compete for Team GB or Team Ireland, the Northern Ireland team all use the same flag. In the most recent games in 2022, the Northern Ireland team used the Ulster Banner as its flag. 

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, Heatley said the CGNI had raised the issue with the Executive “on a number of occasions” and reached out to the five main political parties – but only two responded.

Heatley said that while the Ulster Banner holds “cultural significance for a large section of one side of community in Northern Ireland”, there are “people on the other side of community who don’t feel the same about that”.

The CGNI chief said that unless the organisation is told otherwise it will use its logo in the Commonwealth Games.

The Ulster Unionist Party described the change as “deeply regrettable”, adding that decisions of this nature should only be made by politicians, but First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the flag is an “issue for the team themselves”.

The BBC reported that speaking to reporters at Stormont today, O’Neill said the CGNI had “taken on board the feelings of their athletes – the people that actually compete for them”.

“They didn’t feel themselves that what they had was reflective or inclusive so I commend the work they’re doing and whatever I can do to help them, I’m here to do so, but I do believe that the suggestion that’s been mooted – that they go with their own team logo – I think that’s a fine way forward,” she said.

The BBC also reported that Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said he’s “not sure why there seems to be a quest to delve into a political row”.

“I see members of our community, be they unionist, nationalist, of Protestant faith or Roman Catholic faith, all proudly standing by the Northern Ireland flag when they participate in games,” he said.

“So the injection of this unnecessary political request, I don’t think is helpful. I’m not sure what the outcome is going to be either, but from our perspective there’s no need for change.”

Meanwhile a spokesperson for the Ulster Unionist Party said: “Matters relating to flags and anthems are long established by convention, and no change should have been made without clear guidance from the Northern Ireland Executive. In the absence of such guidance, the status quo should have remained.

“Decisions of this nature belong firmly in the political arena, to be considered by elected representatives, particularly within the Northern Ireland Assembly, where they form part of the ongoing process on flags, identity, culture, and tradition,” they added.