UKIP members have reacted angrily to a decision not to include the Union Jack flag on new drivers’ licences issued in the North of Ireland.
Under newly-announced plans, new driving licences issued to motorists in Britain are to carry the Union flag – except those based in the North.
The decision was made due to “sensitivities” in the region, the Driver & Vehicle Agency NI (DVA) has confirmed.
All licences will continue to feature the current EU flag.
Ukip representative Henry Reilly branded the decision “insulting” to NI residents, who “are happy to live in the UK and are relaxed about UK symbols of statehood being on official UK documents".
He added: “It is clearly wrong that people in Northern Ireland who are opposed to the EU must carry the EU emblem on their licence - while being denied their own national flag."
But while Reilly claims the party will be raising the issue at Westminster, the DVA reinforced their decision this week, explaining: “In 2012 it was agreed that, recognising the particular sensitivities surrounding symbols in Northern Ireland, NI driving licences, which are produced for the Driver and Vehicle Agency in Swansea by the DVLA, should continue to be produced without the flag or crest.”
The European Union flag has been the only flag displayed on full British driving licences since photocards first came into use in July 1998.
See More: Driving Licence, North Of Ireland, Union Flag
