THE High Court in Belfast has ruled that Derry city council was not acting unlawfully when it stripped its unionist mayor of the privileges of office.
Mr Richard Dallas (27) of the Ulster Unionist Party, had been reduced to mayor in name only after he took part in a loyalist blockade of the city's Craigavon bridge during the Drumcree disturbances in July. The SDLP and Sinn Fein joined forces to stop him representing the council at civic functions and also voted to deny him the use of the mayor's car.
After Mr Justice Kerr yesterday refused an application for a judicial review of the decision, Mr Dallas said: "I will not apologise for standing up for my heritage, culture and tradition.