My Only Crime Was Loyalty

The famous words "Here I stand; I can do no other," attributed to Martin Luther, the champion of the Protestant Reformation when he appeared before the Emperor, Charles V in April 1521 to justify what he had taught and wrote, could be a reflective portrayal of the present attitude, analysis and subsequent actions of Jamie Bryson's experiences as recorded in this, his second book. With refreshing honesty, truthfulness and openness, commodities rarely evident in this province these days, Jamie, without fear or favour 'lays bare', in the most vivid style the corruption which lies with some powers and agencies within Northern Ireland. Almost two years following the decision by Belfast City Council to limit to eighteen days a year the number of times that the Union Flag (the flag of the United Kingdom) could fly from the City Hall, and the subsequent unionist protests, Jamie, in this book, highlights how he still awaits 'his day in court' to prove his innocence against charges widely suspected by him and the public at large to be 'trumped up' simply in order to neuter the impact of his leadership within his own community. He also explains in a wider sense, with detailed evidence, how an unprecedented media campaign, aimed at smothering any unionist protests in general and his leadership (real or imagined by the authorities) in particular, which might undermine or unsettle the 'peace process', was devised and implemented by sections of the Press, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPS) over the past two years. This evidence demonstrates not only a refusal by the authorities to uphold the right to freedom of peaceful assembly but also portrays the deceptive and disgraceful way they manipulated and distorted facts, and still continue to do so, against any unionist individual or group which rejects the undemocratic system of government which rules, at present, in this part of the United Kingdom. You are about to read why you should consider your own position in light of these disturbing revelations. Accept the continuing challenge and decide how you can contribute to a realistic future of Unionist security and loyalty in an active and direct manner.