THE nationalist controlled city council in Derry last night passed a vote of no confidence in the Ulster Unionist mayor, Alderman Richard Dallas, for the part he played in last week's disruptions organised by the Orange Order in the city.
Twenty SDLP and Sinn Fein councillors passed the no confidence vote, which was opposed by seven unionist councillors. Council officers were instructed by the same margin to seek legal advice on whether or not they could remove the facilities of the mayor, including the mayoral car and secretarial assistance.
They have also been asked to determine if an alternative to the mayor representing the council at civic and official functions can be found. Alderman Dallas, who said he would make a statement on the matter later today, said after the unprecedented three hour meeting that he would not be resigning.
I am very disappointed that the city council in Londonderry has voted a motion of no confidence in myself. It isn't a surprise, having read their statements in the press. I have taken into account what has been said and I will make a full statement later. But in the meantime I've no intention of resigning", he said.
Alderman Dallas said he would justify later why he would not resign.
"I have defended my actions in the press recently. I believe I did not compromise my position as mayor or as a unionist. I have made the decision at the present time not to resign. I regret the actions that were taken last week, not only by myself but also by the unionist population and by the nationalist population.
"We all wish that last week's events had not taken place, but at this stage I certainly would not wish to apologise for my actions. The actions I took part in I fully believe were justified."
However, an SDLP councillor, Mr Pat Devine, who proposed the no confidence motion, said his party regretted having to take such an action.
"This was a tough, hard decision we have taken. The mayor is suffering the results of his own quite extraordinary actions in insulting and harassing the citizens of Derry. He is suffering from a self inflicted wound but the council must stand up for itself and stand over its vote of no confidence."