Challenge to coat of arms decision

The Royal crest was erected at the new Laganside court

Plans by the government to keep Royal crests on court buildings in Northern Ireland is to be challenged by the SDLP in the House of Commons on Monday.

The party claims the move is divisive and will undermine confidence in the legal system.

Crests inside a number of courtrooms were to be removed under new criminal justice legislation, but the government said some should be retained for architectural reasons.

The move has been seen as an attempt to allay unionist concerns.

This is but one of 294 recommendations in the review - almost all of which, other than this one, have been universally approved of

Des Browne
NIO minister

On Saturday, the Royal coat of arms was erected on the exterior wall of the new Laganside courts complex in Belfast.

The Union Flag may now also be flown outside courthouses on designated days under the amendments which are due to be published in the House of Commons.

The SDLP accused the government of watering down the criminal justice review on symbols, which it said was "contrary to the Good Friday Agreement".

'U-turn'

However, the Ulster Unionist Party said the changes should never have been made in the first place.

Party leader David Trimble denied the suggestion that the move flew in the face of the Good Friday Agreement.

Northern Ireland minister Des Browne said he did not accept the government had done a u-turn.

"This is but one of 294 recommendations in the review - almost all of which, other than this one, have been universally approved of," he said.

Daivd Trimble: Denied the move was contrary to the Agreement

Secretary of State John Reid said: "The review made an explicit recommendation only in respect of existing courthouses, where it said that coats of arms should be retained.

"I have concluded that new courthouses should be able to display coats of arms."

However, Sinn Fein has accused the government of taking a "cavalier approach" to consultation over the Criminal Justice Review.

Sinn Fein assembly member Gerry Kelly said the review fell "well short" of what was required.

The plans have always caused great difficulties for unionists and conservatives who claimed the removal of crests and the withdrawal of the Union Flag was an attack on Britishness.

Crests in courtrooms, which are regarded as having architectural merit will remain in place and new courts being built will also have an outside crest.

The Criminal Justice Review, set up as part of the Good Friday Agreement, had recommended more than 300 changes to the way the law operates in Northern Ireland.

It included a plan to reduce the role of the Crown in the justice system.

A review group had recommended no change to the Royal coat of arms outside court buildings, but that there should be no such symbols inside courtrooms.