Jamie Bryson is now acting as a legal adviser to Jim Dowson

UNION flag protest leader Jamie Bryson has appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday as a legal adviser for his loyalist colleague James Dowson.

Mr Dowson, from Burn Road, Comber, but originally from Scotland, represented himself during a remand hearing but Mr Bryson was acting as his adviser.

Mr Bryson sat in the public gallery and was allowed to take notes which is known in legal circles as a McKenzie friend.

Both men are awaiting trial on charges arising out of the union flag dispute.

Charges against them include taking part in an unnotified procession and encouraging or assisting offenders.

On Monday, a number of Mr Dowson’s bail conditions were changed to allow him to use a computer for legal research and he was permitted to have a mobile phone as long as it did not have a connection to the internet.

Jim Dowson has bail conditions changed so he can use a computer for legal research

The judge expressed concern at the time it was taking police to complete their files in the case.

In June, the prosecution said the files would be ready in a week but the court heard on Monday they were still not complete.

The case was adjourned for six days.