UNIONISTS have denied snubbing Protestant Irish language campaigner Linda Ervine after boycotting the launch of a new policy at Magherafelt council.
Mrs Ervine, pictured, who is the sister-in-law of the late PUP leader David Ervine, was guest of honour at the event which took place before the full council meeting on Tuesday.
The absence of DUP and UUP councillors comes just weeks after unionists walked out of a presentation given by Mrs Ervine on the Irish language at Down District Council in March.
Under the new policy council stationary and signage can be written in both Irish and English.
DUP councillor Paul McLean defended his decision not to attend the policy launch.
"It's the biggest load of hypocrisy, 95 per cent of them can't speak the language," he said, branding the policy "a farce".
He also denied snubbing Mrs Ervine.
"I have nothing personal against anyone," he said. "It does not stack up and is being used as a political tool."
Sinn Fein councillor Sean McPeake said unionists missed an opportunity to learn more about the language.
"It was a missed opportunities for the unionists to educate themselves and demystify the language," he said.
Mrs Ervine is a development officer at a recently opened Irish language centre in east Belfast and is married to the former Progressive Unionist Party leader, Brian Ervine.
She said she did not attend the event to "push anybody's agenda".
"I am from a Protestant and unionist community and I love the language," she said.