Councils warn residents about allowing bins to be used as ‘platform’ by activists like Jamie Bryson

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/news/councils-warn-residents-about-allowing-bins-to-be-used-as-platform-by-activists-like-jamie-bryson/a674627426.html

John Toner
Today at 07:00

Council chiefs are warning residents about the dangers of allowing their bins to be used as a “platform” by activists like Jamie Bryson.

Images of Bryson atop a blue bin went viral in the spring of 2021 as BBC News filmed him addressing a crowd of masked men and protesters in Newtownards about the Irish Sea border.

Bryson, who is pals with reported East Belfast UVF boss Stephen Matthews, was widely mocked over the images online, leading to a string of jokes and Photoshopped memes.

Many labelled him “bin boy”, with SDLP leader Colum Eastwood even referring to Bryson as the “leader of the wheelie bin brigade”.

Now, 30 months on from Bryson’s viral bin-cident, the bosses at Ards & North Down Borough Council say they may refuse to replace bins for residents if they’ve been similarly misused.

The council published an update to its policy on replacement of damaged or faulty bins, which come with a five-year warranty, on its website at the end of last month.

It reads: “The warranty does not cover damage through misuse, such as placing hot ashes in the bin.[Nor] does [it] cover the theft of a wheeled bin or damage by a third party. After the warranty period, the council will not replace bins free of charge.”

The guidance outlines the circumstances which “contribute to a reduction in the useful life of a wheeled bin”, including overloading, compacting the waste, use for heavy objects, storage in direct sunlight.

It also warns against “use for other purposes”, citing “examples witnessed including tradesmen using wheeled bins as a stand, political activists using them as a platform, and for the transport of materials to household recycling centres”.

Reacting to the news, Bryson said: “That which was first said from on top of that blue bin has since become mainstream unionist policy. I’d stand on it again tomorrow.

“Unlike the latte-drinking, yoga-going, avocado-eating, woke-thinking liberal elite, particularly those swanning around in Shakespearean robes without our council chamber, I happily stand among the ordinary people.

“I’d rather stand on a blue bin and address the ordinary people than spend my weeknights polluting a chamber with verbal flatulence which ends up not even in the recycling bin, but straight in the black one of public discourse.”

Just last month DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was urged by Mr Eastwood not to be “cowing to the leader of the wheelie bin brigade”.

The Foyle MP’s remarks came after loyalists threatened to mount protests over a mooted return to Stormont by the DUP.

The threat was made in a letter to the leaders of the three main unionist parties from Bryson on behalf of Unionist Voice Policy Studies, a group which claims to represent the loyalist community.

The warning came on the same day as key elements of the Windsor Framework became fully operational.

Mr Eastwood said the DUP’s priority should be restoring the devolved institutions, as opposed to pandering to the elements of loyalism Bryson represents.

Sir Jeffrey hit back at the criticism, saying earlier this month: “We will not bow to pressure, threats or blackmail, regardless of what source it comes from.”

by columboscoat