New Derry bid to drop London

Sinn Féin Derry City Councillor Barney O'Hagan

Sinn Féin Derry City Councillor Barney O'Hagan has renewed the party's call for the British Government to officially recognise Derry as the name of the city and to drop the prefix London from its name.

The Sinn Féin politician says it is now time for the city's Chamber of Commerce and the Port and Harbour Authorities to also change their titles from Londonderry to Derry in an effort to brand Derry City properly.

He was speaking after it was revealed that the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission has decided to defer a decision to change its title to Derry Port.

While Derry City Council dropped the 'London' as part of its name in the 1980s, the official name of the city remains Londonderry and the council is awaiting various reports on a proposal that the name of the city be also changed.

"A spokesperson for the Port authorities said they had deferred their decision for a year because the port is celebrating its 150th anniversary," said O'Hagan. "I think even they have accepted that the name must be changed. It is now time for the business side of the city to follow suit."

O'Hagan emphasised that Sinn Féin's attempts to have the city's name changed to Derry is not an attempt to alienate the Protestants of the city.

"This is not about sectarianism but is about building a united image for the city," he said. "The cocktail of Derry-Londonderry-Doire sends confusing and mixed messages to visitors to this city. I believe the term Derry-stroke-Londonderry, rather than being inclusive, actually promotes and portrays division."