Residents of Northern Ireland are to be allowed to join the British Labour Party, it was confirmed this evening.
Delegates at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth were informed this evening that a vote had been passed overturning the ban on Northern Ireland members.
However the national executive of the party will reserve the right to decide whether constituency associations will be set up in the North, enabling the party to contest elections.
Labour was facing legal action from Belfast-based trade unionist Mr Andy McGivern of the GMB, who argued the ban on Northern Ireland members was racist.
The party has traditionally cited its links with Mr Mark Durkan's SDLP in Northern Ireland as its main reason for excluding members from the North.
PA