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05 Jul 06 15:38 16:38 UK |
The Police Ombudsman is to investigate a complaint about the actions of police officers who watched as loyalists erected flags in Lurgan last week.
Sinn Fein claims the police were there to protect the loyalists who were putting up flags in a predominantly nationalist part of the town.
Sinn Fein councillors had earlier taken down the flags.
Party assembly member John O'Dowd said: "Town centres should be open to everyone."
He added: "What has been happening in Lurgan and other towns throughout the six counties is that loyalists have been marking out territory, which makes people feel uncomfortable within those town centres.
"A town centre is open to everyone - we removed loyalist flags, we did not erect any other flags.
"The PSNI assisted in an operation which has seen Lurgan town centre being marked out as territory again."
The PSNI said because of the Police Ombudsman's investigation, they were unable to comment.
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