'Bonfire was wrong and disrespectful...'

DUP chief says most unionists against actions

- JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE and REBECCA BLACK

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson believes the vast majority of unionists oppose the placing of a Tricolour and picture of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on a loyalist bonfire.

Cops are investigating the incident in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, on Saturday as a "hate crime".

The towering pyre, themed as an anti-Northern Ireland Protocol bonfire, attracted attention online after a boat was placed on top of it.

By Saturday evening, an Irish tricolour and a republican flag, as well as a picture of Mr Varadkar, had been added on the boat.

Mr Donaldson said the actions were wrong, regardless of opinions on the Protocol.