The Alliance Party has lodged a motion calling for an independent investigation into Mid and East Antrim council's decision to remove border check staff from Larne port earlier this month as the council confirmed a special meeting will be held next week.
Details of the motion emerged as council chiefs confirmed that a special meeting will take place to discuss recent events at the port next Monday.
Confirmation of the meeting came after the Alliance Party called for a special sitting to be held.
It is believed that Alliance, Sinn Féin, SDLP and independent representatives provided the eight signatures required for the meeting to be held.
Last week, Stormont's Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committee backed a Sinn Féin proposal to conduct an inquiry after former DUP minister Edwin Poots withdrew department staff in Larne, Belfast and Warrenpoint ports earlier this month.
Staff began a phased return to inspection work last Wednesday.
The staff withdrawal followed the appearance of threatening graffiti in Larne and claims that car registrations had been taken down.
Police have said there was no evidence that loyalist paramilitary groups are behind the threatening graffiti or that workers' car registrations had been recorded.
Alliance councillor Danny Donnelly last night said: “Over the past two weeks, more and more apparent discrepancies have appeared over what exactly happened in the run up to the decision to remove staff from Larne Port,” he said.
“This was a move which had great significance, as it acted as the catalyst for growing tensions across Northern Ireland."
Mr Donnelly said there have been conflicting accounts over what exactly has taken place and said there was little option but to call a special meeting.
“With all other methods of receiving answers not proving fruitful, we have been left with no choice," he said.
"Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have had to ask questions in this way.
"I urge the mayor to accept the request and join with us in finding the truth about what happened.”
A spokesman for Mid and East Borough Council said: "A meeting of council will take place to discuss the latest situation at Larne Port and the decision to temporarily remove 12 council staff from inspection duties, pending a formal PSNI threat assessment.
“Council's priority remains the safety of its staff, and the situation remains under review by council in partnership with our stakeholders.
"Council officers will continue to address any queries and concerns from elected members.”
