Northern Ireland

DUP demands rule review over council Trump proposal

Former Derry City and Strabane DUP mayor Hilary McClintock
Former Derry City and Strabane DUP mayor Hilary McClintock Former Derry City and Strabane DUP mayor Hilary McClintock

The DUP has demanded a review of procedures at Derry City and Strabane District Council following a row over a motion about US President Donald Trump.

DUP councillors walked out of a council meeting on Thursday after independent member Gary Donnelly suggested the council ask President Trump to reverse his decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel.

Councillors later agreed to write to the President and call on him to reconsider his move.

However, the DUP complained that some motions being put before the council are not relevant and called for a review of standing orders.

Former DUP mayor Hilary McClintock said: "Some people might think it takes nothing and is not a big thing to send a letter, but the reality is that there is a lot of research required by officers and that takes up time; it is also becoming a media circus".

However, Mr Donnelly said he was correct to propose the move.