25/06/2001

ALLIANCE FAIL TO SUPPORT SINN FEIN MAYOR

SINN Fein’s Alex Maskey is set to fail in his bid to become the first republican lord mayor of Belfast after the Alliance Party revealed they will not support his nomination for the post.

The decision came ahead of Monday night's annual meeting of the council at Belfast’s City Hall were Sinn Fein are currently the largest party.

However, Mr Maskey attacked the Alliance Party's decision describing it as "disgraceful". He said the decision flew in the face of the democratic wishes of people in Belfast and that it ensured the continuing dominance of unionists at the City Hall.

Earlier, Alliance had suggested that it would be willing to support Sinn Fein, but wanted a number of assurances from them before agreeing to support Mr Maskey as lord mayor.

Last year, Mr Maskey missed out on the lord mayor's post when an Alliance councillor voted with the unionists. His party is now the only major party in Belfast not to have held the post of lord mayor.

The move now opens the way for another candidate to become lord mayor, possibly in the form of the Ulster Unionist, Jim Rodgers. (MB)

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