Sinn Féin party group leader on Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Cara McShane, has said that the council has shown itself as a cold house once again for the LGBTQ community. 

This followed legal advice tabled at last night’s Council meeting, which exposed the DUP for failing to accept the proposal to fly the Rainbow flag.

Sinn Féin party group leader, Cara McShane, said:

“Last night I proposed that the Council fly the Rainbow flag above the Headquarters in Coleraine on Foyle Pride Day in a sign of solidarity and acknowledgement to the contribution that the LGBTQ+ community make to society.

“This proposal had been previously tabled in June. During this debate, the DUP unfortunately walked out of the Chamber to leave the meeting without a quorum to finish the proceedings.

“I successfully brought this proposal back to the full Council at the following meeting. The DUP ‘called-in’ in this decision – this mechanism has been used to stall the implementation of the proposal while external legal opinion is sought.

“The findings of that legal opinion came back last night which exposed the DUP tactics as having ‘no merit’. It is clear that the intention of the DUP was to frustrate the democratic process.

“While the motion was rejected by anti-progressive elements within the Council, coupled with the absence of several Councillors who did not attend for the vote, we will be bringing this proposal back for further consideration.

“Legal opinion and Equality Commission guidance from other areas shows that there is no negative implications for equality.

“This decision to call in this proposal is simply a pathetic tactic by the DUP, it exposes this Council as a cold house for diversity.

“Sinn Féin are committed to a council that is underpinned by rights and inclusion.”