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Jamie Bryson

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Jamie Bryson
Personal details
Born4 January 1990
Donaghadee, Northern Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyIndependent

Jamie Bryson (born 4 January 1990 in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland)[1] is a Northern Irish loyalist activist who originally attracted media attention as a leading figure in the Belfast City Hall flag protests.[2] He is the author of four books and is the editor of Unionist Voice, a monthly unionist newsletter and online site.[3] He also runs a consultancy business focusing on loyalist public relations, legal work and advocacy.

Early activities

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Bryson, an Ulster Protestant from Donaghadee, was born in 1990 to David and Louise Bryson.[4] According to Bryson, he has been "involved in loyalism" since his "school days".[5] He first came to public attention as the vice-chair of the North Down Somme Society, in which role he led complaints that the Royal British Legion (RBL) were excluding the society from participation in Remembrance Day events due to its alleged loyalist paramilitary links. Reportedly, the RBL were so opposed to the North Down Somme Society's involvement it had warned it would "walk away" from events if the group attended.[6] He became a youth cohesion worker, and in December 2010 helped found the Community Partnership political party.[7] He stood for the party in Bangor West at the 2011 Northern Ireland local elections, but took only 167 votes and was not elected.[8]

In 2011, Bryson was active in a campaign against North Down Borough Council's allocation of Peace III funding, through which he met with Martin McGuinness.[9]

Early in 2012, he was convicted of carrying an extendible baton, which he stated was to protect himself from drug dealers angered by his role as a community activist. Later in the year, he published The First Shades of God, a book which argued that churches should adapt to popular culture.[10]

Belfast City Hall flag protests

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Main article: Belfast City Hall flag protests

At the end of 2012 Bryson, serving for a time as chair of the Ulster People's Forum, became a leading figure in the Belfast City Hall flag protests.[11] In December 2012 Belfast City Council voted to limit the number of designated days for flying the Union Jack. Bryson, Jim Dowson and Willie Frazer coordinated a series of street protest against the decision.[12]

He was taken into custody in Bangor on 28 February 2013 for questioning in connection with public order offences.[13] Bryson was one of three protest leaders arrested, the others being Frazer and former British National Party funder Jim Dowson, with Dowson the only one of the three to be granted bail.[14] In protest at this, it was announced Bryson would begin a "hunger and thirst strike", however it was subsequently revealed the strike only lasted a number of hours.[15] In early March Bryson was charged with six matters relating to the protests.[16]

Bryson spent five weeks on remand in HM Prison Maghaberry. Shortly following his arrival he requested to be transferred to the loyalist paramilitary wing where members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Red Hand Commando (RHC) (a smaller group tied to the UVF)[17] were held.[18] Bryson told the Sunday Life newspaper that he had requested the transfer because "[he viewed himself] as a loyalist political prisoner". Bryson also said in this time he grew close to UDA prisoner Michael Stone, whom he described as "very smart man".[19] A later report on a separate case by an Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) committee found that the segregated loyalist paramilitary wing of Maghaberry Prison was open only to UVF and UDA members, upon invitation from the UVF or UDA.[20]

In March 2015 Bryson was found guilty of taking part in unlawful public processions and obstructing traffic due to his role in the protests [21] and given a six-month suspended jail sentence.[22]

UVF criminal probe

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Bryson has drawn condemnation for various comments made regarding the Ulster Volunteer Force (a paramilitary organisation proscribed as a terror group in the United Kingdom),[23] including claiming that they were "patriots that defended us",[24] that they were not terrorists,[25][26] and that UVF flags erected in housing estates were "perfectly lawful UVF commemorative flags".[27] He has also said that Brian Robinson, a member of the UVF who was shot dead by the British Army in Belfast shortly after killing a Catholic civilian, was "murdered by the State he fought to defend."[28]

In 2018 Bryson was arrested in relation to a UVF criminality probe.[29] The PSNI sought to impose police bail conditions on him, restricting Bryson from discussing this arrest. Bryson did not comply with the police bail conditions, publishing a video online and giving newspaper interviews arguing that his arrest had nothing to do with any UVF activity, but rather was only in connection with an investigation by a regulatory body in relation to a door supervisory business.[30] The PSNI dropped the conditions less than one week after Bryson's arrest.[31]

As part of the arrest, the PSNI seized materials later claimed in court to have been leaked classified documents relating to the 'On the Run'[32] (OTR) scandal, as well as British Army and RUC files relating to the Kingsmill massacre. The coroner wrote to Bryson demanding these files. Bryson claimed journalistic privilege and refused to hand them over after the court had ordered the PSNI to return them, as regardless of their classified status, they fell into the scope of journalistic material.[33]

In 2018, Bryson launched High Court action against the PSNI and the Security Industry Authority claiming the seizure of material was unlawful and arguing that, because he was a journalist, a different legal processes should have been followed to allow his home to be searched. In May 2019, Bryson succeeded in his judicial review, with the High Court of Northern Ireland declaring the warrants unlawful.[34]

In August 2019 Bryson was questioned by The Nolan Show host Stephen Nolan how he could "be close to [UVF] thinking and know what they're thinking if you're not a spokesperson for them"". Bryson replied "To be a spokesperson for the UVF would be a criminal offence, the UVF are an illegal organisation, the UVF can speak for themselves."[35] In December 2019, following the general election, Bryson was asked by Nolan if given his "connections" to the UVF he was hinting at loyalists in Northern Ireland resorting to violence to obstruct the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.[36] Nolan later asserted on the programme that Bryson had "clear links with the UVF".[36] In March 2022, Nolan introduced Bryson as a "loyalist linked to the East Belfast UVF".[37] Bryson denied he represented the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC), UVF or any other group and stated he only spoke in a personal capacity; Nolan responded that the BBC was "confident" in how it introduced Bryson.[37]

In April 2022 at a rally held in Newbuildings in County Londonderry in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol, attended by Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister, Bryson warned dissident republicans that any "attack" on his community "would have significant, and ultimately unwanted consequences, but consequences nonetheless". Bryson was responding to a threat against "loyalist leadership figures" issued by dissident group Óglaigh na hÉireann in the wake of recent "UVF and UDA" activity.[38]

Bryson has described life peer Kate Hoey as a "close personal friend." In January 2022 Bryson thanked Hoey and TUV leader Jim Allister for assisting him in a legal challenge to confirm whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had intelligence linking him to the UVF.[39] The case centred on a PSNI statement in August 2018 when Bryson was arrested in connection with a Security Industry Authority investigation into the illegal supply of pub door staff, which the PSNI said was part of a probe of criminality linked to the East Belfast UVF. He was later released without charge.[40]

2014 European election

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Bryson initially put himself forward for the European elections in 2014 as an independent candidate but failed to raise the funds (£5,000) for the deposit necessary for him to stand.[41]

Namagate

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Main article: Namagate

In 2015, Bryson made a number of allegations concerning the sale of loans and properties by the National Asset Management Agency on his blog. This culminated in him giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Assembly's Finance Committee, in which he accused the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson, of corruption.[42]

In August 2016 Bryson was accused of leaking the name of his source in the NAMA revelations,[43] an accusation he strongly denied. The leak of the information regarding Daithí McKay, resulted in the MLA resigning his seat.[44]

Bryson is to be put on trial on a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. He issued a High Court challenge seeking to prevent his prosecution in 2021.[45] His challenge failed in November 2021.[46]

2024 DUP meeting leaks

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On 29 January 2024, Bryson again came to prominence when he live-tweeted a private meeting of the DUP party executive. The meeting was called to discuss a proposal to bring the DUP back into power-sharing government and the party had gone to great lengths to ensure that the proceedings remained private. Shortly after the meeting started, Bryson began to share what was being discussed on his X account. The following day it was reported that a senior DUP executive member was wearing a wire which was used to relay the proceedings directly to Bryson.[47] Following the incident, political professor Jonathan Tonge dubbed Bryson "The Man Behind the Wire", a humorous reference to the republican protest song, The Men Behind the Wire.[48]

Personal life

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Bryson is an amateur footballer who previously played for Linfield F.C., Bangor F.C. and Crusaders F.C.[49] Bryson subsequently signed for East Belfast,[50] before giving up playing to become a manager. As of 2021, he coaches amateur league team Donaghadee FC.[51]

Bibliography

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  • Bryson, Jamie (2012). The First Shades of God: One Mans War. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1478371809.
  • Bryson, Jamie (2012). Four Men Had a Dream: May the Streets Be Broad and Narrow... CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1478334842.
  • Bryson, Jamie (2014). My Only Crime Was Loyalty. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1502949158.
  • Bryson, Jamie (2021). Brexit Betrayed: Writings from the Referendum to the Betrayal Act. Unionist Voice Publications Ltd. ISBN 979-8588699488.

References

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  1. ^ "THE BIG INTERVIEW: Jamie Bryson". www.newsletter.co.uk. 8 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Jamie Bryson: I'm against the peace process...it's peace with a gun to its head". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Unionist Voice". Unionist Voice. Retrieved 28 September 2019.[not specific enough to verify]
  4. ^ "Jamie Bryson's mum claims he is a scapegoat". The News Letter. 4 March 2013. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  5. ^ Rutherford, Adrian (11 May 2015). "Jamie Bryson: I'm against the peace process...it's peace with a gun to its head". Belfast Telegraph.
  6. ^ "Group 'had right to pay respects'". The News Letter. 1 December 2009. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  7. ^ Irvine, Natalie (9 December 2010). "Community workers form political party". Belfast Telegraph.
  8. ^ "North Down Borough Council Elections 1993–2011". Northern Ireland Elections, ARK.
  9. ^ Gorman, Natalie (24 February 2011). "Ministers to meet protest group on council 'failings'". Belfast Telegraph.
  10. ^ "'50 Shades of God' book 'may offend'". The News Letter. 3 September 2012. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013.
  11. ^ ""Jamie Bryson angry at 'mascot' media coverage". The News Letter. 8 February 2013. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013.
  12. ^ Bryson, Jamie (2 July 2019). "Jamie Bryson pays tribute to his friend Willie Frazer". belfastlive. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  13. ^ "Union flag protester Jamie Bryson's hunger strike ends with an Indian curry". Belfast Telegraph. 11 March 2013.
  14. ^ "Jamie Bryson remanded in custody over Belfast union flag protests". BBC News. 2 March 2013.
  15. ^ "Union flag protester Jamie Bryson's hunger strike ends with an Indian curry". Belfast Telegraph.
  16. ^ "Jamie Bryson is refused bail as judge hits out in courts flag debate". BBC News. 8 March 2013.
  17. ^ Garland, Roy (2001). Gusty Spence. Blackstaff Press. ISBN 9780856406980.
  18. ^ "Group 'BRYSON MOVED TO UVF WINGS FOR 'HIS OWN SAFETY'". BelfastDaily.co.uk. 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  19. ^ "Group 'Flag protester Jamie Bryson on his time behind bars'". Sunday Life. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  20. ^ "IPSO: 02093-22 Boreland v Sunday Life". IPSO. 30 September 2022. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  21. ^ "Jamie Bryson convicted over union flag protests". BBC News. 18 March 2015.
  22. ^ "Jamie Bryson gets six-month suspended jail sentence". BBC News. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Proscribed terrorist groups or organisations". GOV.UK. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  24. ^ Bryson, Jamie [@JamieBrysonCPNI] (25 September 2013). "#Yes I am consistent in my view aswell. IRA were terrorists waging war and the UVF and others were patriots that defended us" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "JJamie Bryson: I'm against the peace process...it's peace with a gun to its head". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  26. ^ "Jamie Bryson: UVF were not terrorists". The News Letter. 26 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  27. ^ Hughes, Brendan (4 July 2019). "DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly breaks silence after UVF flags row". The Irish News.
  28. ^ Bryson, Jamie [@JamieBrysonCPNI] (2 September 2014). "#In memory of Brian Robinson. Murdered by the State he fought to defend. FGAU" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson arrested in UVF criminality probe". Belfasttelegraph – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  30. ^ Fitzmaurice, Maurice (16 August 2018). "Jamie Bryson speaks out after arrest". belfastlive. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  31. ^ "'PSNI have removed controversial bail condition' claims Jamie Bryson". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  32. ^ "What do controversial On the Run letters actually say?". BBC News. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  33. ^ "Jamie Bryson asked to hand over seized Kingsmill massacre files to coroner". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  34. ^ Erwin, Alan (14 May 2019). "Jamie Bryson wins legal challenge over police search warrant". belfastlive. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  35. ^ "Jamie Bryson denies 'outrageous allegation' of being member of UVF". Belfast Telegraph. belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  36. ^ a b BBC Radio Ulster:The Nolan Show (Radio programme). BBC. 13 December 2019.
  37. ^ a b BBC Radio Ulster:The Nolan Show (Radio programme). BBC. 28 March 2022.
  38. ^ Ciaran Barnes (24 April 2022). "Jamie Bryson warns dissidents over threats to loyalists". belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  39. ^ Jamie Bryson [@JamieBrysonCPNI] (5 November 2019). "I really hope today isn't @KateHoeyMP final contribution to Parliament. A loyal advocate for the unionist/loyalist community and proud to say a close personal friend of mine. Regardless of what lies ahead, Kate Hoey will always be remembered as a Brexit hero & true Ulsterwoman!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ "Court win proves I've no role in UVF, says Jamie Bryson". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  41. ^ "Jamei Bryson Pulls Out of European Election". News Letter.
  42. ^ "Nama inquiry: Bryson claims DUP's Peter Robinson was to receive payment". BBC News. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  43. ^ "Jamie Bryson leaked Sinn Fein secrets as revenge on MLA McKay over parade". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  44. ^ "Nama scandal: Daithí McKay no longer part of Sinn Féin". BBC News. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  45. ^ "Jamie Bryson wins High Court permission to challenge Nama prosecution". The Irish News. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Loyalist Jamie Bryson to face trial in NAMA case as legal battle fails". 26 November 2021.
  47. ^ "DUP mole 'wore a wire' to leak meeting to Jamie Bryson".
  48. ^ "The man behind the wire: Jamie Bryson, the loyalist blogger who live-tweeted DUP meeting". The Irish Times.
  49. ^ "Flag protester Jamie Bryson has curfew restrictions eased". BBC News. 25 April 2013.
  50. ^ "Bryson Profile". East Belfast FC. Pitchero. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  51. ^ "Pitt Park: Stephen Matthews' bail changed to coach Donaghadee FC". BBC News. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
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