Butler criticises "toothless" British parliamentary watchdog

Sinn Féin's Paul Butler has hit out at British MP Michael Mates and the 'Northern Ireland' Affairs Committee (NIAC) after they refused to take on board his complaints about the discrimination practiced against nationalist representatives on Lisburn Council.

The NIAC, set up by the British parliament to scrutinise the expenditure, administration and policy of the NIO, says it has no authority in the matter of Lisburn's discrimination against nationalist politicians.

Lagan Valley Councillor Paul Butler, who wrote to the committee detailing how unionist councillors in Lisburn have refused to share power with nationalist elected representatives, said Mates was "failing to deal with the matter".

"British politicians on committees like the NIAC need to be calling for legislation which makes it binding on district councils to implement proportionality instead of turning a blind eye to discrimination and bigotry," said Butler.

"At present, the review of Public Administration is looking at whether local government should have more powers, but given the bigotry and discrimination which exists on Lisburn council, this should never happen until proportionality is made a statutory obligation on councils."

Antrim Council accused

Sinn Féin has also accused Antrim Borough Council of sectarianism and double standards, after it announced it would provide equipment to erect bunting and flags for the Burnside Ulster-Scots Society, while in April it would not allow council equipment to be used for an exhibition exploring the 1798 Rebellion.

The Ulster Scots event, scheduled for Saturday 22 May, has been billed as a Tattoo and Pageant to commemorate the Battle of Antrim, one of the major engagements of the 1798 Rebellion in the North.

Sinn Féin Councillor Martin McManus told the council chamber on Thursday 20 May that the decision to fund the Ulster Scots event to the tune of £400 "was in stark contrast with their stance on the recent event in Toome in memory of Roddy McCorley, in which they refused to lend video equipment to the organisers".