Ulster Unionists have expressed anger after a number of YouTube accounts linked to marching bands were closed by the video-sharing website- resulting in hundreds of hours of footage being lost.

Trever Wilson, chairman of the Ulster Unionist Councillors’ Association, called on YouTube to explain why, over the weekend, it chose to close down a number of accounts and remove footage of local marching bands.

He said: “The local band scene is thriving and is a key part of unionist culture, providing a great deal of colour and musical skill throughout the summer months, and is the source of pleasure and enjoyment for tens of thousands of people.

“Over the weekend, I and a number of party colleagues, including former MLA Jenny Palmer, have been approached by members of the local band fraternity regarding action taken by YouTube.

“There is a great deal of anger out there that a number of accounts have been closed without explanation or warning, and hundreds of hours of footage lost as a result.

“I am therefore calling on YouTube to explain why they chose to take the action they have and to re-instate the footage they have removed.”

Progressive Unionist Party Leader, Cllr Billy Hutchinson, said: “For some these videos are of sentimental value and to others they are of educational value. In my view, they do not breach any community guidelines.

"YouTube, however, have other ideas and I’d like to hear their justification for censoring videos that depict a legitimate expression of culture.”

A YouTube spokesperson said: "Many forms of cultural expression are allowed on YouTube, however we do not allow content that that promotes proscribed terror organisations."

Belfast Telegraph