Sinn Fein has accused the new Ulster Unionist Party Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mr Bob Stoker, of "blatant discrimination" after he barred the 13 Sinn Fein councillors from his installation dinner.
Ms Marie Moore, the Sinn Fein deputy Lord Mayor, said Mr Stoker informed her yesterday that the time was not right to have Sinn Fein councillors at the annual function. "This is an outrageous decision and is a blatant act of discrimination against a sizeable section of the electorate in Belfast," she said.
Mr Stoker said he did not invite Sinn Fein because he "did not believe the party was wedded to democracy".