UDU flags 'must come down' - MLA

The flags are flying in Drumahoe, the Fountain, and Lincoln Courts

Loyalist flags which have appeared in parts of Londonderry must be taken down, a DUP assembly member has said.

The flags, which represent a group called the Ulster Defence Union, have been put up in Drumahoe, the Fountain, and Lincoln Courts.

William Hay said people were shocked to see the flags go up.

"The unionist community see this flag as something that's very close to a loyalist paramilitary organisation, and it's something they can not support."

"It was a shock to people to see these flags being erected again, a total shock.

"I would hope that common sense would prevail and whatever flags are up will be taken down," said Mr Hay.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said it was a sensitive situation.

"The most practical and pragmatic thing to try and do now is to ensure that we don't raise the temperature and cause more flags to go up.

"We actually want to try and de-escalate the situation where those flags don't go up, as they didn't last year or the year before," he said.

Michael Doherty from the Peace and Reconciliation Group in Derry said the UDU was linked to the UDA.

"They are trying to move the UDA away from criminality, and they have come up with these new flags to put out into the community.

"Not all of the local commanders and brigadiers are on board with the work of decommissioning.

"As yet it's a work in progress, and I think these flags are a message to us all that there's still a lot of work to be done," said Mr Doherty.