11 January 2001

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Sinn Fein in flags court challenge

Sinn Fein Assembly member Conor Murphy's judicial review into the decision of the British Secretary of State, Peter Mandelson, to force Sinn Fein ministers to fly the Union Jack from their departments will be heard in the Belfast High Court tomorrow. Speaking today, Mr Murphy said:

``Sinn Fein is opposed to the flying of the Union Jack over government departments.

``It is my belief that Peter Mandelson's decision to usurp the power of locally-elected ministers flies in the face of what was agreed on Good Friday.  It ignores the equality provisions, human rights provisions and the case for parity of esteem enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement.''

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