The new UUP Mayor of Coleraine, Co Derry, yesterday rejected SDLP accusations of an unfair election. Mr John Dallat, the SDLP candidate, is to approach the North's Fair Employment Commission to ask it to investigate the outcome of the ballot. Mr Norman Hillis, of the UUP, who defeated Mr Dallat in a recorded vote of Coleraine councillors, rejected claims that it was an injustice that there had never been a nationalist mayor in the borough's 22-year history.
"I am disappointed at John Dallat saying some people are treated as second-class citizens. Every councillor has one vote. There were three candidates and I was elected", Mr Hillis said.
Mr Dallat, a past deputy mayor, said that the issue was one of natural justice. He added: "Coleraine has to present a positive image and the first question any inward investor will ask is how do you treat your minorities?"