Belfast City Council voted narrowly in favor of signing the Armed Forces Covenant, a controversial decision that will provide additional privileges to former army personnel. Sinn Féin, who opposed the decision, claim a technical issue prevented one of their councillors from voting and will be 'calling in' the decision for further legal review.
Sinn Féin will 'call in' a controversial decision for Belfast to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant , after a DUP motion passed on a knife edge at City Hall due to a casting vote by the Alliance Lord Mayor.
The party however succeeded during the full council meeting on Thursday in the most contentious fashion. On a vote to support the Armed Forces Covenant, 27 voted in favour, from the DUP, Alliance, the UUP and the TUV, while 27 voted against the proposal, from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, and People Before Profit. Three Green councillors abstained.
After legal advice from the City Solicitor Nora Largey, the vote was upheld, and Sinn Féin said they would be “calling in” the decision. The two Nationalist parties then tried and failed to stop the Strategic Policy and Resources Committees minutes, where the original vote on the Covenant took place, from being signed off.
Councillors have to give reasons for any call-in, explaining why they believe the decision “was not arrived at after a proper consideration of the relevant facts and issues” and why they believe the decision “would disproportionately affect adversely any section of the inhabitants of the district.” DUP Alderman Dean McCullough said: “It would be making a mockery of the democracy in this city with the false equivalence of Councillor Cobain, who was sitting here for the debate and voted, and wasn’t heard.
The City Solicitor Nora Largey said: “In the circumstances, because it did appear Councillor McCabe did have some difficulties in accessing the meeting, she may not have been present for the whole entire debate, and in those circumstances it would be my advice that she wouldn’t then take part in the vote in any event. The vote was recorded after the vote count had concluded.”
POLITICS BELFAST CITY COUNCIL Sinn FÉIN DUP ARMED FORCES COVENANT LOCAL GOVERNMENT
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DUP fails to get Belfast to sign Armed Forces Covenant after Sinn Féin blockAnother vote may be held again at the full Belfast Council meeting in January
Read more »
Gerry Adams: IRA victims to bring civil case against AdamsThe case is being brought against the former Sinn Féin president by three IRA bomb victims.
Read more »
Mervyn Storey: Concerns raised as DUP politician made EA chairSinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says the appointment raises 'important questions and concerns'.
Read more »
US Attorney General Tried to Block Sinn Fein Leader's Fundraising in 1995Newly released records reveal that US Attorney General Janet Reno attempted to prevent Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams from fundraising in the US in 1995, citing concerns about the IRA's continued pursuit of weapons.
Read more »
Sinn Féin Accused of Oversimplifying Community Relations in Northern IrelandDeclassified files reveal a 2003 memo accusing Sinn Féin of ignoring the impact of the Troubles deaths on community relations and downplaying the role of sectarianism. The memo, sent to a Northern Ireland Office minister, criticizes Sinn Féin's response to a government strategy aimed at addressing community divisions.
Read more »
Sinn Féin Accused of Ignoring Troubles Deaths in Community Relations MemoDeclassified files reveal a 2003 memo accusing Sinn Féin of overlooking the impact of the Troubles deaths on community relations in Northern Ireland.
Read more »