Fascist stirs flag violence

There’s an unpeasant feeling in Belfast tonight as crowds disperse after a protest in the centre of town by Loyalists and Unionists. The PSNI confirm that renegade paramilitaries are now directing youths into rioting as the majority of the estimated 10,000 marchers return home across Belfast.

Once more as they have been since earlier this week, youths are out on the streets clashing with the police and attacking property in a protest about the decision by Belfast council to remove the Union Flag from city hall except for 15 designated days of the year.

During the rally today, who should we bump into but far-right boss Jim Dowson,  formerly of the BNP and now a fundraiser for the English Democrats, stirring the crowd up as one of a series of speakers at the protest rally.

Dowson has now departed as the PSNI flood Belfast to stop rioters.

Cars are now burning and there is a stand-off on Newtonards Road where Dowson has been marching.

The Christmas market is empty and shoppers have left the centre of Belfast, traditionally its busiest weekend.

Merry Christmas, Belfast.

Belfast: trouble flares