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Newry mayor: Unionists to hold no confidence vote over Gaza letter | Newry mayor: Unionists to hold no confidence vote over Gaza letter |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Unionists on Newry and Mourne District Council are to present a motion of no confidence in the Sinn Féin mayor at a council meeting on Monday night. | Unionists on Newry and Mourne District Council are to present a motion of no confidence in the Sinn Féin mayor at a council meeting on Monday night. |
It comes after councillor Dáire Hughes wrote to traders in the area in July, asking them to consider not stocking Israeli goods. | It comes after councillor Dáire Hughes wrote to traders in the area in July, asking them to consider not stocking Israeli goods. |
Unionists said the mayor had no right to send the letter. | Unionists said the mayor had no right to send the letter. |
Newry and Mourne District Council said it was issued by an individual and had not been adopted by the council. | |
'Sinister in nature' | 'Sinister in nature' |
Ulster Unionist councillor David Taylor said Mr Hughes had failed to "act duly and appropriately" as mayor. | Ulster Unionist councillor David Taylor said Mr Hughes had failed to "act duly and appropriately" as mayor. |
"I am acutely aware of the differing views in terms of the complex political situation in the Middle East," he said. | "I am acutely aware of the differing views in terms of the complex political situation in the Middle East," he said. |
"The mayor took a decision to issue correspondence which can only be described as insulting and sinister in nature - without the consent or approval of council members - and this has subsequently led to him tainting the position of first citizen of our district." | "The mayor took a decision to issue correspondence which can only be described as insulting and sinister in nature - without the consent or approval of council members - and this has subsequently led to him tainting the position of first citizen of our district." |
In the letter, Mr Hughes also asked traders to provide a list of products they stocked from Israel to help customers to boycott Israeli goods. | In the letter, Mr Hughes also asked traders to provide a list of products they stocked from Israel to help customers to boycott Israeli goods. |
Mr Hughes said he had no regrets about writing the letter and that he had "no intentions" of rescinding it. | Mr Hughes said he had no regrets about writing the letter and that he had "no intentions" of rescinding it. |
Mr Taylor said there had been "considerable anger and concern" over the mayor's decision, and he was concerned it could damage the reputation of the district. | Mr Taylor said there had been "considerable anger and concern" over the mayor's decision, and he was concerned it could damage the reputation of the district. |
He called on Mr Hughes to offer an immediate apology or consider stepping down from his role as mayor. | He called on Mr Hughes to offer an immediate apology or consider stepping down from his role as mayor. |
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