Ulster Unionist council leaders and deputy leaders are to boycott next month's Derry City Council ball at the Guildhall. The boycott stems from the council's decision to include Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein on the civic list, which guarantees him an invitation to the ball.
Unionists are also angry at the nationalist-dominated council's decision to exclude the mayor, Ulster Unionist Alderman Richard Dallas, from attending functions because of his participation in Drumcree related protests last summer.