The DUP’s deputy group leader in Belfast City Council has branded the smashing of a portrait of one of his party’s former Lord Mayors as “a disgrace” and said it has “done real damage to relations.”
Dean McCullough was speaking on BBC NI’s Nolan Show and said that “it is even more disgraceful” that a former member of Sinn Fein carried out the damage on the portrait.
Yesterday it emerged a Sinn Féin member has now resigned from the party after admitting involvement in the incident.
Belfast City Council launched an investigation on Monday into reports the portrait of former DUP councillor and MLA Wallace Browne was removed from the wall of the Great Hall and the glass within its frame was smashed on Saturday night.
An event celebrating 20 years of west Belfast Irish language group Glór na Móna had been taking place at City Hall earlier that evening.
Sinn Féin has confirmed it suspended a party member in relation to the incident and the PSNI are now investigating.
“Belfast City Hall is a shared space, we promote it as such,” Mr McCullough said.
“There are portraits that hang throughout the building that tell of the story of City Hall and its people; they are a great asset to the city and to tourism.
“So the fact that someone who is a former member of Sinn Fein, at an Irish language event, would see fit to rip down a portrait of one of our former DUP lord mayors is a disgrace and it’s something that has done real damage to relations between parties in city hall and across the city.”
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Mr McCullough said that Lord Browne “was a man that showed everyone across our city respect.”
“Sadly that respect was not reciprocated.”
He is now questioning why Sinn Fein released a statement only after an investigation was launched.
“We initially made enquiries and were made aware that the portrait was taken down, so we asked for full investigation and now a PSNI investigation which we welcome,” he said.
“The story broke on the news and then Sinn Fein released a statement but when did they know? Were there witnesses? We have asked to view the CCTV in the vicinity.”
Yesterday a Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “Today a Sinn Féin employee, who works in the Assembly, made the party Chief Whip aware of their involvement in an incident regarding a portrait in Belfast City Hall which took place on Saturday October 19.
“The employee was immediately suspended, and we have notified the PSNI today.”
“The employee has now resigned from their employment and their party membership.”
Lord Browne told the Belfast Telegraph of his dismay at the news last night.
“I am disappointed that a distinguished artist’s work has been vandalised. I am confident that the City Hall personnel will investigate the matter thoroughly,” he said.
A Glór na Móna spokesperson said they were unaware of the incident until contacted by council staff on Monday morning and that they are co-operating with the council’s investigation.
“On October 19 Glór na Móna held a celebratory dinner in City Hall to mark 20 years since the foundation of the organisation,” they said.
“Following the formal end of our event, a portrait within city hall was damaged. Glór na Móna had no knowledge of this taking place and only became aware of this on Monday October 21 when contacted by council staff.
“This is completely contrary to the ethos and principles of our organisation and the spirit of our successful anniversary celebratory event.
“We are extremely disappointed that this took place after what was an incredibly positive evening. We are assisting Belfast City Council with their investigation into the circumstances of this damage.”
Mr Browne – also known as Baron Browne of Belmont after he received a peerage in 2006 – also served as former High Sheriff of the city and as MLA for East Belfast from 2007 until 2011.
His portrait was painted by Kazakhstan-born Israeli artist Israel Zohar, who in 2017 began a series of works known as the Palestinian Paintings.
The artwork tackles the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank and emerged from the artist’s anger and frustration at the situation in Palestine.
Zohar ultimately left Israel and has lived and worked in London since 1987.