The UK's Labour Party should be ashamed that its sister party in the Republic is now accepting members north of the Border, a Northern Ireland trade unionist claimed today.
GMB member Mr Andy McGivern, who has begun legal moves against British Prime Minister Tony Blair's party to force it to end its ban on Northern Ireland members, said it was "ironic" that Irish Labour Party was now recruiting in Belfast.
Welcoming the move, Mr McGivern said: "It is ironic that the Irish Labour Party has organised in Northern Ireland because people on the left in the North have no political home.
"The Irish Labour Party should be commended on creating a home for people in Northern Ireland but it is also a terrible indictment on the Prime Minister and his government that it continues to disenfranchise people here. "While I welcome this move, people on the left like me still want to be a member of the Labour Party in Britain and want to have an input into the government of our country.
"That is still our position and we will continue to fight for that right. Labour headquarters in London should be ashamed."
The Belfast trades unionist was commenting after it emerged that the Labour Party's Northern Ireland forum held its first meeting on Thursday night.
The group, which involves left wing activists, will be able to vote in Labour leadership elections and send delegates to party conferences.
However its members will not be able to contest elections north of the Border.
Labour deputy leader Ms Liz McManus explained: "We have been very conscious for some time now that people in Northern Ireland feel they have no political home.
"We are very aware that Labour in Britain does not allow Northern Ireland members under a curious anomaly but that is obviously its concern.
"Our constitution does, however, allow people in Northern Ireland to join.
"We will not be contesting elections but membership of the forum will be open to people who belong to other parties which are members of the Party of European Socialists.
The Labour Party in Britain has often explained its refusal to organise in Northern Ireland is a result of its links to Mr Mark Durkan's SDLP through the Party of European Socialists.