Jamie Bryson

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

Bryson has been publicly linked in Northern Irish media to the UVF, which is proscribed as a terrorist group by the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and United States.[3][4][5][6] He has drawn condemnation for various comments made regarding the UVF, including claiming that they were not terrorists[3] and claiming that UVF flags erected in housing estates were "perfectly lawful UVF commemorative flags".[6] He has previously been arrested in relation to a UVF criminality probe.[7] Bryson claimed that his arrest was "absurd". 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.[8] The PSNI dropped the conditions less than one week after Bryson's arrest.[9]

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' (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.[10]

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.[11] Bryson demanded a public apology from the former Chief Constable, Sir George Hamilton, alleging his public commentary was "outrageous".

Early activities

Bryson, an Ulster Protestant from Donaghadee, was born in 1990 to David and Louise Bryson.[12] 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 were excluding the society from participation in Remembrance Day events due to its alleged loyalist paramilitary links.[13] He became a youth cohesion worker, and in December 2010 helped found the Community Partnership political party.[14] He stood for the party in Bangor West at the 2011 Northern Ireland local elections, but took only 167 votes and was not elected.[15]

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.[16] Early in 2012, he was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon, a 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.[17]

Belfast City Hall flag protests
Main article: Belfast City Hall flag protests

At the end of 2012, Bryson became a leading figure in the Belfast City Hall flag protests, serving for a time as chair of the Ulster People's Forum.[18] In this role he has co-operated closely with Willie Frazer. The two briefly split in February 2013,[19] before reconciling.[20] Following Frazer's death in 2019 Bryson wrote a tribute for the Daily Mirror and on Unionist Voice recounting how the pair had shared a prison cell in April 2013 following their arrest on public order charges [21]

Bryson appeared several times on the Stephen Nolan Show when the flags protest was the subject of heated debate and was challenged by Nolan to explain his position regarding the street protests.[22] Bryson compared the treatment of the flag-protesters to the treatment of Jews by the Germans during the Nazi era.[23] In a Twitter post on 25 February 2013, Bryson stated that he would not view the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), as terrorists.[24] He has repeatedly refused to withdraw this comment.

He was taken into custody in Bangor on 28 February 2013 for questioning in connection with public order offences, after reportedly being on the run for 24 hours. He was arrested at the home of his friend Pastor Mark Gordon, who claimed that the arrest had been arranged with police. Gordon objected to how the arrest was portrayed in the media, stating that Bryson was in an unlocked bedroom rather than hiding in a locked attic.[25] In a 2017 Police Ombudsman report in to Bryson's arrest it was found that a PSNI officer had misled the court and was disciplined.[26] In 2019 it was announced that the investigating officer in the case against Bryson was to be prosecuted for misconduct in public office in relation to her conduct in the case.

Whilst on the run Bryson posted a video on the internet calling the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) "fascists" and mocking their inability to apprehend him.[27] 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.[28] In early March Bryson was charged with six matters relating to the protests,[29] in response to which it was claimed that he briefly went on hunger strike.[30] The hunger strike was reported to have lasted only half a day, and Bryson's request for an Indian takeaway led fellow loyalist inmates to label him as "Jamie Biryani" according to a Sunday tabloid[25] Bryson denies this and in an interview with the Belfast Newsletter in 2017 he described the Hunger Strike story as "an absoloute myth" [31]

On 11 March he was moved from the main complex for remand prisoners in Maghaberry Prison to the separate building containing segregated loyalist UVF wings, Bush House.

Bryson was bailed on 27 March with a number of conditions attached to the bail, including the requirement to sign in daily at Newtownards PSNI station, a curfew, a ban on using a mobile phone, a ban of attending protests or making public speeches and a ban on entering Belfast city centre.[32]

In December 2013 the Sunday World and Sunday Life printed photos of Bryson claiming Jobseeker's Allowance before going to work at a taxi office. Bryson originally threatened to take the paper to court if it ran with the story. He later stated he was only volunteering with the taxi company.[33] It later transpired that Bryson had been unable to return to his job as a community development worker due to stringent bail conditions.

In March 2015 Bryson was found guilty of taking part in unlawful public processions and obstructing traffic due to his role in the protests. He was convicted of four charges brought against him after the court was shown CCTV footage of Bryson protesting in the middle of a road.[34]

Support for loyalist paramilitaries

Bryson has repeatedly described loyalist paramilitary groups such as the UVF (classified by the British government as a 'terrorist organisation') as "patriots". He posted a message on Twitter in April 2013 in which he claimed "loyalists were not terrorists. The IRA were the terrorists." He then added: "I would not view the UVF as terrorists no."[35] On 29 December 2013, Bryson posted a blog in which he described loyalist paramilitary groups as "patriots" who "responded to the threat of terrorism". Bryson has also referred to the UVF as "God's Army." [36][37]

Bryson is also reportedly friends with leading loyalist paramilitary, David McConnell. McConnell was convicted for drugs offences in March 2014 and has been reported by the Sunday World as being the "UVF's second in command in east Belfast".[37] Bryson posted on his blog that both he and McConnell attended parliament buildings together at Stormont (leading to complaints from First Minister and deputy First Minister Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness).[38] Pictures surfaced on social media sites of Bryson posing with replica guns alongside McConnell. McConnell also posted a commendatory comment regarding Bryson to social networks in the run-up to Bryson standing for election.

A video appeared on YouTube and other social media outlets that appeared to show Bryson cheering and punching the air as the front window of a house in the Catholic Short Strand was smashed during the return leg of a loyalist parade in January 2013. He has never denied this allegation.[33]

2014 European election

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.[39] Bryson was believed to have raised only £165, and although he said (in a statement he posted to his Facebook account) that he would use the money raised to fund his candidacy for the subsequent local elections, he pulled out of those elections as well.[40] In response to Bryson running for the European elections, the creators of parody social network site LAD started to raise money in a crowd-funding campaign for a fictional rival candidate to Bryson (a gorilla called Koko).[41] The crowd-funding campaign for Koko raised more money (£410) than Bryson raised through his fund-raising.[42]

Namagate
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.[43]

In August 2016 Bryson was accused of leaking the name of his source in the NAMA revelations [44] An accusation he strongly denied. The leak of the information regarding Daithí McKay, resulted in the MLA resigning his seat.[45]

On 12 January 2017 the Belfast Telegraph reported the allegation that "Jamie Bryson is set to be arrested by police over allegations that Sinn Fein "coached" him before he gave evidence to Stormont's Nama inquiry".[46] Bryson refused to cooperate with the investigation and refused to provide information sought by police, citing journalist privileges, in an article on his blog.[47]

In an Irish Times article the journalist described Bryson as a "remarkably dangerous peaceful person" [48]

Football

A football fan, Bryson dressed up to act as the official mascot of the Northern Ireland team in November 2012, for its match against Azerbaijan, just shortly before the start of his involvement in the flag protests.[18]

Bryson is an amateur footballer who previously played for Linfield FC, Bangor FC and Crusaders. Following a serious injury in 2011 he returned in 2013 to play for Northern Amateur Football League side 1st Bangor Old Boys In April 2013 his bail conditions were relaxed so that he could play for the club in their evening kick-off matches.[49] Bryson subsequently signed for East Belfast.[50] before becoming giving up playing to become manager of1st Bangor FC in 2014. During this period a player suffered a serious neck injury swallowing his tongue. The former Irish League goalkeeper later claimed that Bryson had "saved his life" [51]

In 2015 Bryson was appointed manager of his hometown team, Donaghadee Football Club. In Bryson's first three seasons at the club the seaside team secured two cup wins and two promotions.

In August 2019 Bryson's close friend and club coach Gary Halliday suffered a major cardiac arrest during a local game. His life was only saved by the provision of a defibrillator and the presence of a retired paramedic and two nurses [52]

References
  1. "THE BIG INTERVIEW: Jamie Bryson". www.newsletter.co.uk.
  2. "Unionist Voice". Unionist Voice. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  3. "Jamie Bryson: UVF were not terrorists". www.newsletter.co.uk.
  4. "Jamie Bryson denies 'outrageous allegation' of being member of UVF" – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  5. "'Loyalists have positive role to play in our society within the law', says Jamie Bryson" – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  6. Hughes, Brendan (4 July 2019). "DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly breaks silence after UVF flags row". The Irish News.
  7. "Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson arrested in UVF criminality probe" – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  8. Fitzmaurice, Maurice (16 August 2018). "Jamie Bryson speaks out after arrest". belfastlive. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  9. "'PSNI have removed controversial bail condition' claims Jamie Bryson". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  10. "Jamie Bryson asked to hand over seized Kingsmill massacre files to coroner". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  11. Erwin, Alan (14 May 2019). "Jamie Bryson wins legal challenge over police search warrant". belfastlive. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  12. "Jamie Bryson's mum claims he is a scapegoat" News Letter, 10 March 2013; Retrieved 10 March 2013
  13. "Group 'had right to pay respects'", News Letter, 1 December 2009
  14. Natalie Irvine, "Community workers form political party", Belfast Telegraph, 9 December 2010
  15. "North Down Borough Council Elections 1993–2011", Northern Ireland Elections, ARK
  16. Natalie Gorman, "Ministers to meet protest group on council ‘failings’", Belfast Telegraph, 24 February 2011
  17. "‘50 Shades of God’ book ‘may offend’", News Letter, 3 September 2012
  18. "Jamie Bryson angry at 'mascot' media coverage", News Letter, 8 February 2013
  19. Frazer doesn't speak for us says Bryson Archived 13 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine, The Irish News, 8 February 2013
  20. Display of unity from protest chiefs, News Letter, 8 February 2013
  21. Bryson, Jamie (2 July 2019). "Jamie Bryson pays tribute to his friend Willie Frazer". belfastlive. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  22. "BBC denies Nolan Show was hijacked by loyalists". Belfast Telegraph. Victoria O'Hara. 19 January 2013
  23. Jamie Bryson interview with William Crawley, BBC Radio Ulster, Talkback Show on 23 January 2016.
  24. "Jamie Bryson: UVF were not terrorists". The News Letter. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  25. "Union flag protester Jamie Bryson's hunger strike ends with an Indian curry" Belfast Telegraph 11 March 2013
  26. jamiebrysonadmin (13 July 2017). "PSNI officer disciplined and another referred for prosecution in Jamie Bryson case". jamiebrysonblog. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  27. Fugitive Bryson mocks police Archived 2 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, The Irish News, 28 February 2013
  28. Jamie Bryson remanded in custody over Belfast union flag protests, BBC News, 2 March 2013
  29. "Jamie Bryson is refused bail as judge hits out in courts flag debate", BBC News, 8 March 2013
  30. "Jamie Bryson off hunger and thirst strike", News Letter, 3 March 2013
  31. "THE BIG INTERVIEW: Jamie Bryson". www.newsletter.co.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  32. "Union flag protester Jamie Bryson released on bail". 27 March 2013 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  33. We Catch Bryson Doing the Double Archived 4 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Sunday World
  34. "Jamie Bryson convicted over union flag protests". 18 March 2015 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  35. Jamie Bryson: UVF Were Not Terrorists, News Letter
  36. "RUC, UDR & British Army". jamiebryson.blogspot.co.uk.
  37. Prod Youth Get the Shaft From DUP, UUP Archived 19 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Sunday World
  38. "DUP/IRA response". jamiebryson.blogspot.co.uk.
  39. Jamei Bryson Pulls Out of European Election, News Letter
  40. "Log In or Sign Up to View". www.facebook.com.
  41. "Devils advocate: Why it's disappointing Jamie Bryson is not standing in the European elections". Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  42. "LAD". www.facebook.com.
  43. "Nama inquiry: Bryson claims DUP's Peter Robinson was to receive payment". BBC News. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  44. "Jamie Bryson leaked Sinn Fein secrets as revenge on MLA McKay over parade - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk".
  45. "Nama scandal: Daithí McKay no longer part of Sinn Féin". 2 December 2016 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  46. "Police to quiz Jamie Bryson over Nama probe 'coaching' row - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk".
  47. jamiebrysonadmin (27 December 2016). "Full written response to PSNI request for journalistic NAMA material".
  48. Emerson, Newton. "Newton Emerson: Jamie Bryson is a remarkably dangerous peaceful person". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  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. Sherrard, Chris (26 October 2015). "Promoter who partied with Niall Horan "grateful" to Jamie Bryson for saving him". belfastlive. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  52. "Football coach collapses during Co Down game - life-saving medics praised". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
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