Trimble slams council decision as 'offensive'

Former First Minister David Trimble has described as "offensive" the decision by Derry City Council to abandon the city's official name.

During his visit to Londonderry last night, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble delivered a strongly worded criticism over the council's decision on Tuesday that Londonderry should not be imposed as the official city name - meaning everyone has the right to use the name they feel most comfortable with.

Speaking at Thornhill College yesterday, Mr Trimble said: "For years, civic and community leaders in this city have worked tirelessly to eliminate division, to produce tolerance and acceptance and to accommodate people from different traditions."

He also said that he believed the decision could only undermine the efforts that have been made to build "a new, inclusive, tolerant society" which has, as its cornerstone, "mutual respect for our traditions and beliefs".

Mr Trimble added: "I’m not surprised that the main movers behind this offensive attempt at re-branding were Sinn Fein, but I am surprised and disappointed at the failure of the SDLP to resist the sectarian impulse. That failure will have far-reaching implications."

After weeks of negotiations, the SDLP and Sinn Fein agreed on a common proposal that was passed by the council. At present, the council uses three names to represent the city – Derry, Londonderry and, the Irish, Doire.

(GMcG)