Tree to be planted in Stormont grounds to mark Queen's Platinum Jubilee

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A tree is to be planted in the grounds of the Stormont Estate to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The decision was revealed in a letter from the Speaker of the Assembly, Alex Maskey, to MLAs.

In it, Mr Maskey said the Assembly Commission had unanimously agreed to the request put forward by the Assembly Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Earlier this year, a political row erupted over proposals for a tree to be planted to commemorate the Jubilee.

At the time, the ex-DUP Finance Minister Sammy Wilson accused the current Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphy of blocking the proposal.

However, Sinn Fein rejected Mr Wilson's claim, saying that their Minister was following the rules.

Queen's Jubilee tree sparks political row

Responding to the decision to allow the planting of the tree, the DUP MLA William Humphrey, who is the Chairman of the NI Assembly Commonwealth Parliamentary (CPA) Association said:

"Earlier this year, I wrote to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly as Chairman of the Northern Ireland Branch of the CPA requesting that the Assembly Commission grant permission for a tree to be planted in the grounds of Parliament Buildings to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

"I am delighted that the Assembly Commission today granted permission for that to happen. "The Branch acknowledges and welcomes that all political parties have recognised the significant role Her Majesty has played in building peace and reconciliation over the years and her dedicated and committed service and leadership during her reign.

"The Branch welcomes the Assembly Commission’s decision which will mark an historic milestone in our nation’s history.

The letter from Alex Maskey also confirmed that the Commission had agreed that one of the designated days for the flying of the Union Flag at Parliament Buildings would be changed from 19 February to 1 July for the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

Mr Maskey's letter concluded with him thanking "all parties for their cooperation on these matters."