Alliance election posters have been stolen and replaced with paramilitary flags in the outskirts of east Belfast, it has been claimed.
UDA flags have been erected in recent days alongside Union flags on Knocknagoney Road, close to the PSNI training college.
However, it has emerged that election posters for the Alliance party were taken down so that the flags could be erected.
Alliance MP Stephen Farry described the actions of those responsible as “outrageous”.
There were similar issues in the area last year when UDA and UFF flags appeared across the road from the training college on Garnerville Road.
In recent days also, new UDA flags have been appeared on lampposts in the Tates Avenue and Glenmachen Street areas of south Belfast.
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The recent appearance of paramilitary flags in the Knocknagoney area has been condemned.
Mr Farry told The Irish News: “It is outrageous a number of Alliance posters have been removed and stolen along the Knocknagoney Road, particularly as in some cases they have been replaced with UDA and other paramilitary flags.
“This is an attack on the democratic process and it is essential all local candidates in north Down condemn this behaviour.
“While people might replace Alliance posters with paramilitary flags, they cannot take away people’s votes.
“Alliance has been receiving positive responses across north Down and we will not be deterred by such attempted intimidation.”
It also comes just weeks after it emerged that the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has received a 50% increase in requests to remove such emblems in the past year.
Despite the rise in demands for action, not one unauthorised flag had been removed.
A DfI spokesperson said in April that minister John O’Dowd was “committed to working with Executive colleagues and all stakeholders to deal with this issue comprehensively”.
Police have previously said that the removal of the flags is “not the responsibility” of the PSNI.
