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DUP's Brian Kingston to become new Belfast Lord Mayor

DUP councillor Brian Kingston has been chosen as the new Lord Mayor of Belfast. Picture by Philip Walsh
DUP councillor Brian Kingston has been chosen as the new Lord Mayor of Belfast. Picture by Philip Walsh DUP councillor Brian Kingston has been chosen as the new Lord Mayor of Belfast. Picture by Philip Walsh

DUP councillor Brian Kingston is to become the new Lord Mayor of Belfast.

The 50-year-old, a councillor for the Court area for the past six years, is expected to be installed as Mayor at the council's AGM on June 1.

Mr Kingston is currently the DUP's group leader on Belfast City Council.

The DUP politician described his new apppointment in his home city as "a great honour" .

"I am very proud to come from Belfast and, as a councillor, I have taken huge pleasure in seeing the great strides forward that our city is making year on year.

He added: "I will dedicate myself to the role of representing all the people of our city in an important year which includes the solemn occasion of the centenary of the Battle of the Somme."

Sinn Fein will propose the new deputy mayor, former republican prisoner Mary Ellen Campbell.

The party said the councillor, who represents the Castle ward in north Belfast, would be the first openly gay person to hold one of the city's top posts.