Unionists furious at new site for Queen’s 21-gun salute
02/02/2006 - 11:20:40The North's two main unionist parties are furious that a traditional 21-gun salute to mark the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's accession to the British throne has been moved away from Hillsborough this year.
The event, due to take place next Monday, has been moved to Belfast docks to prevent causing offence to Sinn Féin and the SDLP, who are involved in political talks at Hillsborough.
Democratic Unionist Party MP Jeffrey Donaldson has described the docks as a degrading site for an august event to honour the Queen.
Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey, meanwhile, has lodged a protest with the British government calling for a more suitable site to be found.
