02/06/2003

Belfast City Council to appoint new Lord Mayor

Belfast City Council is set to vote on a new Lord Mayor this evening.

Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey steps down from a post he accepted last June, making him Belfast's first republican Lord Mayor.

However, his appointment caused anger among unionists who refused to appoint a deputy to work alongside a man who was twice interned during the height of Northern Ireland's 'Troubles'.

Mr Maskey claimed he would reach across Belfast's deep religious divide during his tenure.

Among his acts as Lord Mayor over the last year Mr Maskey held a Remembrance function for the Royal British Legion and took part in a commemoration service for those killed during the First World War's Battle of the Somme.

Though he incensed many unionists by placing an Irish Tricolour in his office alongside a Union Jack.

(MB)

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